Grundtvig Church, located in the Bispebjerg district of Copenhagen, is a remarkable example of expressionist church architecture. It was named after the Danish philosopher, pastor and poet N.F.S. Grundtvig and is one of the most distinctive and recognisable sites in the Danish capital.
The design of the church was selected through a competition in 1913, which was won by Danish architect Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint. Although the foundations were not laid until after the First World War, on 8 September 1921, construction of the main part of the church took place between 1921 and 1926, with the opening ceremony taking place in 1927, when the distinctive tower was completed. Work on the interior continued until 1940 and was continued by Jensen-Klint’s son, Kaare Klint, after his father’s death in 1930. Grundtvig Church is surrounded by a housing estate, also designed by Jensen-Klint. These buildings, made of yellow brick, harmonise with the architecture of the church to form a coherent whole.
Construction, 1926. photo: https://steinwart.dk/grundtvigs-kirke-under-opforelse-pa-bispebjerg-bakke-1926/
The architecture of Grundtvig’s church is a synthesis of different styles. Jensen-Klint drew inspiration from traditional Danish country churches, especially those on the island of Zealand, which are characterised by stepped gables. In the design, he combined these traditional elements with modern geometric forms, characteristic of Brick Expressionism, and a Gothic vertical. The most striking element of the church is its west facade, which resembles a huge church organ. The dominant 49-metre tower, topped by stepped gables, gives the building an imposing appearance, leading up to the sky. The lower part of the tower is constructed in a geometric manner, while the upper parts seem to undulate, creating a uniform, dynamic surface.
The interior of the church, despite its Gothic proportions, is characterised by a minimalist style, with a clear emphasis on space and light. High vaults, pointed arcades and ribbed cross vaults emphasise the verticality that is typical of Gothic architecture, but the use of yellow brick and lack of decoration give the interior a modern feel. The interior of the church can accommodate around 1,440 people, making it one of the largest religious buildings in Copenhagen. Around five million yellow bricks were used in the construction of the church, which is typical of Danish architecture.
Grundtvig Church has two sets of organs. The smaller organ, located on the north side of the nave, was built in 1940. The larger one, built in 1965, is located at the west end of the nave. The largest of the pipes measures 11 metres, making it the longest organ pipe in Scandinavia. The temple is the centrepiece of a residential area, which consists of symmetrically placed buildings on either side of the church. These buildings, designed by Jensen-Klint, house parish halls and flats. A long avenue leads up to the church, creating a picturesque scenic axis reminiscent of Baroque urban planning.
Today, Grundtvig Church is open to the public all year round, not only during services. Organ concerts are regularly held here, during which the powerful Marcussen organ is used. The Copenhagen church is not only a place of worship, but also an architectural monument that impresses with its form. The building combines tradition and modernity to create a unique work of sacred art.
Source: visitcopenhagen.com, archdaily.com
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