Photo: David Stjernholm
God’s House, Resurrected: Explore Seven Transformed Churches
By Anna Skovby Hansen
31. marts 2025
From the congregation to communal dinners, from mass to massage tables, from sanctuary to sitting room — a number of churches have been reborn with new purposes. The architecture of the past has been reimagined for the needs of today. Join us on a journey through seven remarkable transformations of Danish churches.
Photo: Folkehuset Absalon
A Community Hub with a Packed and Popping Calendar
1. Absalon
Absalon is perhaps one of the most vibrant community houses today, boasting over 50 weekly activities and communal dining every day of the year. It’s hard to imagine that Absalon was once a place of quiet and spirituality. The original building, dating back to 1934, is known for its twin towers and distinctive brickwork, which still define its exterior today. Decommissioned in 2014, the church has since undergone a bold and colorful transformation. Step inside, and you’ll find an explosion of color, designed by artist Tal R, along with a laid-back, retro atmosphere.
Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj
Unique Student Housing in a Church Setting
2. Samuels Hus
If you’re lucky enough to land a student apartment in Samuels Hus, you’ll have a truly unique home in the heart of Nørrebro, Copenhagen. The former Samuels Church has been transformed into 34 individual residences, blending history with modern living. The conversion from church to housing preserves its original vaulted ceilings, massive brick walls, and spacious interiors. The apartments are spread across four levels, named after the church’s original functions: The Crypt, The Nave, The Gallery, and The Vault. Every corner of the building still echoes its historical past.
Photo: Destination Nord, Vesterbrofotograferne
A Wellness Retreat with Healing Salt
3. Læsø Kur
A spa and a church share a common theme – tranquility and reflection. These elements merge in the transformation of the former Vesterø Harbor Church, which was converted into Læsø Kur in 2007. The church nave, once its largest space, was demolished to make way for a new building that mirrors the undulating dunes of the surrounding landscape. Inside, the wave-like theme continues in the warm spa baths. The church tower remains standing as a landmark, still gazing out over the sea.
Photo: David Stjernholm
A Living Art Hall with a Sky-High Ceiling
4. Nikolaj Kunsthal
At Nikolaj Kunsthal, thoughts can wander freely within the divinely beautiful church space. With its whitewashed walls, vaulted ceilings, towering height, and flowing light, the setting invites deep artistic contemplation. The church, over 800 years old, is crowned by a striking verdigris copper spire that watches over the city rooftops. Today, it serves as a venue for contemporary art, and visitors can enjoy a meal at the restaurant on the ground floor, which opens onto a small, intimate square in the heart of Copenhagen.
Photo: Koldinghus Kongernes Samling
Concerts with Notes of King Christian IV
5. Koldinghus Church Hall
The Church Hall at Koldinghus has withstood more than most – surviving the ravages of the Napoleonic Wars and devastating fires. Originally established by King Christian IV in the 1600s, the space still carries the echoes of its grand past. The latest transformation occurred in the 1970s, restoring the church so it could function as a cultural venue for concerts, exhibitions, and weddings. The only original elements that remain are the four walls, silent witnesses to the church’s illustrious history.
Photo: Destination NORD, Peter Jørgensen
A Gathering Place Under the Open Sky
6. The Sand-Buried Church
Among the dunes west of Skagen stands the tower of the old medieval Sct. Laurentii Church, now famously known as The Sand-Buried Church. Here, nature has been the force behind the transformation. Over time, drifting sands slowly engulfed the church, and in 1795, it was permanently closed as the sand took over. The nave was demolished, but the tower remained as a navigational landmark. Today, the tower continues to stand as a beacon, serving as a gathering place in the summer months, where open-air church services are held in front of it.
Photo: Visit Sydsjælland-Møn, Christian Lindgren
Wedding Bells Still Ring Here
7. Højerup Old Church
Perched dramatically on the edge of Stevns Klint, 30 meters above the sea, Højerup Old Church balances precariously on the cliffside. Here, nature has played a decisive role in shaping its current appearance. In 1928, the church’s altar and part of the cemetery collapsed into the sea due to relentless coastal erosion. Since then, the church has been stabilized to prevent further collapse, allowing couples to safely exchange vows in this unique and historic setting. Today, it is a popular wedding venue, hosting up to 100 ceremonies each year.