Birkerød Church

Birkerød Church (Danish: Birkerød Kirke) is a church in Birkerød, Rudersdal Municipality, Greater Copenhagen, Denmark. The church dates from the 12th century but has later ungergone numerous changes. It is one of two churches in the parish of Birkerød, the other being Høsterkøb Church in Høsterkøb. The church is particularly noted for its lime murals. The church is particularly noted for its church frescos (kalkmalerier).

History

The nave and chancel were built in stone in the middle of the 12th century. A north chapel built in mixed field stone and brick was added in the beginning of the 13th century. Temains of it can still be seen in the wall between the sacristy and north chapel. The nave was at this point also lengthened westwards to its current length.[1]

Construction of the tower began in circa 1475.A new chancel also replaced the old one at this point. The porch was built around 1525 and the current north chapel was built in 1563. The windows has been moved and altered several times but remains of the original 12th-century windows can still be seen.

Furnishings

The altarpiece dates from the late 15th century and was probably imported from North Germany. It was restored in 1899 and reinstalled in the church as a replacement for a younger altarpiece painted by Th. Wegener which can now be seen in the north chapel. The pulpit is from circa 1600 and features Christian IV's monogram. The five arched niches feature Christ and the four apostles. The corners feature representations of six virtues: Fides (faith), Justitia (Justice, represented by sword and weight),Patientia (Petience, represented by cup and pitcher), Charitas (love, with children in its arms), Spes (Hope, with birds), Prudentia (Eisdoms, with a snake).[1]

On the wall to the west of the pulpit is a painting of Henrik Gerner who was parish priest of Birkerød in 1657-85. In 1659, he was arrested for plotting against the Swedish occupants at Kronborg Castle. He spent 54 weeks in prison of which 18 were in chains. It is not known whether it is his chains that have been installed on the wall next to the painting. The painting is a copy from 1826 of Karl van Mander's original in the Museum of National History at Frederiksborg Castle. On the railing in front of the organ are six paintings from the middle of the 17th century.

The font is made of sandstone and was created by Axel Poulsen in 1944.

Cultural references

Birkerød Church has been used as a location in the feature films Det gælder livet (1953) and En kort, en lang (2001).[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Birkerød Kirke". nordenskirker.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  2. ↑ "Birkerød Kirke". danskefilm.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 2 August 2018.

Coordinates: 55°50′27″N 12°25′47″E / 55.84078°N 12.42980°E / 55.84078; 12.42980

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