City Walks: Lyngby Church

The official religion of Denmark, as stated in the Danish Constitution, is Evangelical Lutheran. Approximately 85% of the Danish population is Evangelical Lutheran, 3% are Roman Catholic, and approximately 5% of the population is Muslim.

Christianity has shaped Denmark’s culture, and the Danish countryside remains dotted with traditional churches. Most Danish cities offer a range of churches, however, few Danes go to church on a regular basis. Churches are still popular because a lot of Danes are traditionalists when it comes to weddings, baptism and funerals. Many Danes also choose to pay the optional “church tax” required to be able to have a ceremony in a state church, as well as to support the cultural heritage and the maintenance of the beautiful church buildings, some dating as far back as the Middle Ages (1100-1200AD). Lyngby church is from the 12^th Century.

In many areas, churches also serve as community centres. Groups of new parents meet there with their babies for musical “baby psalm singing”, the local schools come to learn about art history and church history, elderly with dementia celebrates small services during the week.

In Lyngby you can hear concerts on Fridays, services for Children and their grown-ups with focus on music and the bible, on weekends there are different lectures about culture, theology and art.