Gl. Skørping Church

Gl. Skørping Church

Gl. Skørping Church dates from the 12th century and has long been known as a pilgrimage church. The building preserves several well-kept features from both the Romanesque and Gothic periods.

The nave still has its original Romanesque timber ceiling, while the tower and porch were added in the Gothic period. The north door is fully preserved and is still used as the entrance. Above it is a tympanum with seven arches, possibly symbolising the seven days of Creation. The former south door is now bricked up, but its tympanum with a carved cross has been preserved.

During the reign of Queen Margrete I, a chapel was added to the south side of the church. Today, it serves as a transept. Beneath the floor runs the spring that supplies water to the Holy Cross Spring in the churchyard. The spring was once believed to have healing powers, and a spring market was held here until 1890.

In 1392, Queen Margrete I had a Holy Cross altar erected in the chapel. Every Friday, the priest of Skørping was to celebrate mass here in remembrance of the Crucifixion. After the Reformation, the Friday tradition continued with weekly evening services until well into the 20th century. Today, the tradition survives on a smaller scale with a Lenten sermon held on a Friday during Lent.

The church also contains several historic furnishings. The altar table, made of granite blocks, is original, as is the Romanesque baptismal font. The brass baptismal bowl and ewer date from 1880, while the altarpiece was made around 1600 in the High Renaissance style.