Saint Peter’s Church is the parish church in Copenhagen of the German-speaking community. It was built as a single-nave church in the mid-15th century and is thus the oldest building in the city centre. Frederik II presented it to his German-speaking subjects in 1585, and the rapidly growing congregation made it necessary to expand the church in several stages. Christian IV added two transepts, and Christian V enlarged the north transept with a further three severies. The distinctive sepulchral chapels arose between 1648 and 1740, and the grand copper spire was added in 1757.
As time passed, it became an impossible task for the congregation to maintain the large building complex, and in 1994 the state had to take the church back into its care. It was transferred to the Palaces and Properties Agency, which in the years leading up to 1999 carried out extensive restoration and partial restructuring.
On a day-to-day basis the church is used actively by the German-speaking community, which arranges guided tours, concerts and other cultural events in the historic building.
Last updated:: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
