Lundø Church

Lundø Church – A Small Church with Great Art

Lundø Church was built of rough fieldstones mixed with monk bricks, likely in the mid or late 14th century – during the High Gothic period. While exact dating is difficult, the preserved pointed-arched north door and a similar window in the chancel wall reflect Gothic style.

The tower and porch were added in the Late Gothic period, using the same materials. A small pointed triumphal arch separates the chancel from the nave.

The altar table front, painted around 1600, is in Renaissance style with three decorative panels. The altar features a copy of the unique gilded processional cross that stood in the church until 1874. The original, now housed at the National Museum, dates to the mid-1100s and shows a three-dimensional Christ figure nailed with four nails – typical of Romanesque tradition. On the back is a beautifully engraved image of Archangel Michael slaying a dragon.

The altarpiece, depicting the blessing Christ, was painted by Queen Louise (wife of Christian IX) in 1884 and donated after the church had to give up the original Lundø cross.

Above the smooth granite baptismal font hangs a small crucifix, donated by Chresten Erichsen Lunøe in 1760.

The church also houses a high-quality oak Madonna figure from the late 15th century, originally painted. The National Museum holds five additional late medieval wooden figures from the church, one of which likely comes from the same workshop as the Madonna.

In the Middle Ages, Lundø Church was a chapel under Viborg Cathedral – perhaps explaining why this small village church holds such remarkable examples of medieval church art.