Skive Church
The Red Church in Skive was built toward the end of the 19th century by living, generous hands.
Skive Church was built between 1896 and 1898, based on designs by Professor H.J. Holm from Copenhagen. The initiative came from Pastor J.J. Lohmann in the early 1880s due to severe space issues in Our Lady’s Church. The solution was a new church – but lack of funds repeatedly halted the project. In 1893, pharmacist Gerhard Norgaard and his wife donated 100,000 DKK for the construction. The amount would be paid out upon the death of the last of the two, but until then it stood as a loan from the pharmacy with 4% annual interest – a manageable expense for the state and municipality.
After much debate, the church was placed on the Horse Market Square near Our Lady’s Church and Kirkegade. Architect Holm insisted that the church tower be visible from the bottom of Vestergade, so the church was built on a south-north axis – unlike most Danish churches, which face east-west.
Local legend claims that Norgaard himself demanded the tower’s placement so he could stand on the steps of Skive Pharmacy and see the church clock. The pharmacy was located at the corner of Posthustorvet and Slotsgade – and even today, the clock is visible from that spot!
The church was expected to be completed in 1897, as marked on the tower and weather vane. However, in autumn it was clear the building wasn’t dry enough, and the inauguration was postponed to May 15, 1898.
Norgaard’s generous gift didn’t cover all costs, but many citizens of Skive contributed furnishings. Some items were transferred from Our Lady’s Church, which was then used as a chapel of rest.
Skive Church is built in historicist style with Renaissance influences. It features red brick on a granite base, decorated with chalkstone bands and brick patterns around doors and windows – each window with its own unique design.