Jystrup Church

Jystrup Church, situated on a hilltop in the village of Jystrup in Central Zealand, dates back to around 1150. The original Romanesque building has been expanded over several centuries, and the church contains medieval wall paintings, a Gothic chancel, and furnishings dating from the Renaissance.

Following an extensive interior restoration, the church has been renewed with a strong respect for its history, craftsmanship, and future use. The project was developed and carried out in close collaboration with the Jystrup Church Parish Council, skilled craftsmen, and conservators.

Facts

Year
2023- 2025

Theme
Restoration, artistic decoration

Client
Jystrup Church

Collaborators
Master Mason Tonny Erleben, Master Carpenter Mester Madsen, and Nordisk Konservering

The history of Jystrup Church dates back to around 1150.

The restoration project encompassed everything from limewashing, conservation, and new furnishings to lighting, artwork, and technical improvements. The result is a church interior where the stories of the past can continue to live on in the present, while functionality and comfort have been discreetly upgraded.

The Historic Wall Paintings Have Been Preserved for Future Generations. One of the most significant aspects of the restoration of Jystrup Church has been the conservation of its historic wall paintings.

The paintings are located in the chancel and nave and date from 1425–1525, spanning the Late Gothic and Gothic periods.

The nave vaults are decorated with simple yet unusual rib ornamentation, chains of diamonds, triangular panels, and zigzag bands. Similar decorations can be found in other medieval churches across Zealand, where their purpose was often to emphasise the architecture of the vaults through rhythmic geometric patterns.

New cushions, chairs, and restored pews contribute to a more welcoming church interior at Jystrup Church. The aim has been to enhance comfort without compromising the church’s historic identity. The textiles were selected by artist Simon Aaen, who also created new artistic decoration for the church’s tower room.

The pulpit, dating from 1628, has been discreetly modified. The former enclosed stair balustrade has been replaced with a new, lightweight and transparent railing made of slender steel tubes, inspired by the steel structure of the communion rail and painted in the same shade of green. The delicate construction opens up the space and accentuates the prominent pier behind the pulpit, which now once again stands out clearly.

The stair treads and stringers have been carefully restored and painted with linseed oil paint.

The restoration of Jystrup Church also includes improvements to the organ and its surroundings. Technical adjustments to the organ, together with a new enclosure around the organ area, provide a better functional setting for the church’s musical activities.

Decoration of the Tower Room. New artworks by artist Simon Aaen have been integrated into the tower room. His work introduces new narratives and creates a dialogue between past and present. Among the works is the glass mosaic “I Am the Light of the World”, in which light, resurrection, and contemplation come together in a contemporary expression. The project also includes a new bronze cross, whose form and details refer to the crown of thorns and the marks left by the nails at the Crucifixion.

The tower room has undergone a significant transformation. The former wooden plank floor has been replaced with a brick floor, the benches have been replaced with flexible seating, and the space has become more versatile and suitable for the church’s many activities.

Thank you to Jystrup Church for the trust placed in us, and to everyone involved for a rewarding and successful collaboration. The project was designed and developed by Tine Teglbjærg, Project Manager at Elgaard Architecture.