St. Petri

St. Petri - The oldest church in the City of Copenhagen, the home of the German-speaking congregation, attached to the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Denmark

St. Petri is the oldest preserved church in the city centre of Copenhagen. The tower, nave and choir date back to the 15th century (see illustration). It lies in the very heart of the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen, on the corner of Nørregade and Sankt Pederstræde (see map).

Being one of four Catholic parish churches, the church was handed over to the German-speaking congregation in the capital by king Frederik II in the year 1585.

Very quickly this church became a meeting place for Copenhagen's political, economical, cultural and military elite, who, like the Royal Court, whose main language was German.

During the 17th century, the church was extended on two occasions. With the addition of a north transept (where the organ is situated today) in 1631 and a south transept (where the main entrance is today) in 1634, king Christian IV created the cruciform style church of today, which once again frames the church service. After only 60 years, the building was too small for the congregation, and during the reign of king Christian V yet another north transept was added (today "Christian V.-salen").

With the three-year war (1848 - 1850) reflecting the increasing tension between Danes and Germans built up druing the preceding decades, the church lost it's special significance and consequently members as well as respect and economic strength. The maintenance of the the medieval building could not be kept up to date.

In 1994, the Danish State decided to take over the whole building into it's care and had it thoroughly restored under the management of the respected architect Hans Munk Hansen (who is a member of the congregation, born in from North Schleswig). This became a turning point for the church. It is now under the management of the Palaces and Properties Agency, a body under the Ministry of Finance.


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