St. Alban's Church

A Royal Gift to Copenhagen's English Community

St. Alban's Church stands as a remarkable testament to Anglo-Danish relations and the power of royal patronage. The Anglican congregation in Copenhagen had worshipped in rented rooms since 1834, but lacked the means to build a permanent home. In 1864, they appealed to the Prince of Wales and his Danish-born consort, Princess Alexandra. Moved by the cause, Alexandra—daughter of King Christian IX—took personal charge of fundraising and persuaded the Danish Ministry of War to grant permission for construction on the esplanade outside Kastellet, one of Copenhagen's most prestigious locations. The foundation stone was laid on 19 September 1885, and the church was consecrated two years later on 17 September 1887 in a ceremony attended by an extraordinary gathering of European royalty: the Prince and Princess of Wales, King Christian IX and Queen Louise of Denmark, Tsar Alexander III and Tsarina Maria Feodorovna of Russia, and King George I and Queen Olga of Greece.

Gothic Revival Architecture Transplanted to Denmark

Architect Arthur Blomfield, a prolific designer of parish churches throughout Britain and recipient of the Royal Institute of British Architects' Royal Gold Medal in 1891, created a building that authentically captures the character of an English village church. The design exemplifies the Gothic Revival style, specifically the Early English or Lancet Gothic tradition. What makes St. Alban's particularly distinctive is its material palette: limestone from Faxe, knapped flint from Stevns, and Åland stone for the spire. The use of flint is especially significant, as it reflects the building traditions of East Anglia and other regions of England where flint has long been a primary construction material. Even the roof tiles and interior furnishings were imported from Britain, making this truly den engelske kirke—the English church—in every detail.

Architectural Significance and Distinctive Features

The church's elegant spire dominates the skyline of northern Copenhagen and can be seen from multiple vantage points, including from the pond at Kastellet. The interior houses a notable baptismal font and features stained glass windows with heraldic symbols. The bell tower contains fifteen bells, eight of which were presented by the then-Prince of Wales in the 1880s, with seven additional bells added in 2013 as a contribution from his successor. The stonework creates striking visual patterns that distinguish the church from its Danish surroundings, making it instantly recognizable as an import of English ecclesiastical tradition. The peaceful park setting, with views toward the Gefion Fountain and Langelinie, provides a serene backdrop that enhances the building's contemplative character.

A Living International Community

While built for the English community of the 19th century, St. Alban's has evolved into a genuinely international Anglican congregation. Today it welcomes members from over twenty-five different nationalities and serves as the only dedicated Anglican church in Denmark. The church remains part of the Church of England's Diocese in Europe and the worldwide Anglican Communion, which encompasses 78 million members across the globe. Services are conducted in English and embrace an inclusive theology that welcomes people from all Christian traditions as well as those exploring faith. The congregation actively serves both residents and visitors seeking worship in English, providing a spiritual home for the international community in Copenhagen.

Historical Context and Religious Freedom

The establishment of St. Alban's reflects a broader shift in Danish religious history. Under the King's Law of 1665, Lutheranism had been the only permitted faith in Denmark. However, the Danish Constitution of 1849 enshrined freedom of religion, allowing non-Lutheran churches to worship openly for the first time in over two centuries. The Anglican presence in Denmark predated this legal change, sustained by maritime trade ties and a small but persistent English community. By the 1830s, Anglicans were holding services in rented spaces near Kongens Nytorv. The construction of St. Alban's in the 1880s represented not merely a building project but a symbolic affirmation of religious pluralism and international cultural exchange in the heart of Copenhagen.