St. Ansgar’s Church in Copenhagen has served as the Catholic cathedral for all Catholics in Denmark since 1953. Moreover, the parish uses it as the main church for the inner-city parish of St. Ansgar. The parish counted 1,707 members at the end of 2010. Thus, the church connects local and national communities through its religious, cultural, and administrative roles.
The church stands on Bredgade and Bishop consecrated it on All Saints’ Day, November 1, 1842. Architect G.F. Hetsch designed the building as one of his major works. Furthermore, he blended Romanesque and Classicist styles. Hetsch modeled the design on Sankt Ludwigs Kirche in Munich, Bavaria. In this way, he combined tradition with innovation.
Denmark still banned the Catholic faith when the church opened. However, Austria had owned the land since 1774, which allowed builders to construct the church. Previously, Empress Maria Theresa funded a temporary chapel on the site. Therefore, the Austrian legation ran the church and called it St. Ansgar’s Church—The Imperial Royal Austrian Legation Chapel until 1850. After separation from Austria, Danish clergy renamed it St. Ansgar’s Church.
Architect Gunnar Glahn built the tower in 1943 and installed the three bells in 1949 after authorities lifted the ban. He designed the tower in modernist style and used it as a staircase for offices, the museum, and clergy quarters.
Professor Wilhelm Wohlert restored the church from 1988 to 1992 with the National Museum. The museum displays artifacts related to the church, parish, and Catholic liturgy. Sculptor Gotthilf Borup created the zinc angels and Old Testament prophets on the facade. Additionally, sculptor Mathilius Schack Elo placed a bronze statue of Saint Ansgar at the entrance in 1927.
Connectivity to the Cathedral of St. Ansgar, Copenhagen, Denmark
✈️ Airways
Copenhagen is served by Copenhagen Airport (CPH), the main international airport, located about 9 km from the city center. Travelers can take a taxi, Metro, bus, or train to reach St. Ansgar’s Church in about 15–20 minutes. Several airlines operate daily flights to Copenhagen from major European cities and beyond, making the cathedral easily accessible for international visitors.
🚆 Railways
The nearest main railway station is Copenhagen Central Station (København H), approximately 2 km from the cathedral. Trains connect Copenhagen to cities across Denmark, including Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg, and international destinations like Hamburg in Germany. From the station, visitors can walk 20–25 minutes, take a bus, or use the Metro to reach Bredgade, where the cathedral is located.
🚌 Roadways
Copenhagen has an excellent road network, including Ring 2 and inner-city roads that connect the cathedral to major highways and city areas. Visitors can reach St. Ansgar’s Church by car, taxi, or regional buses. Public buses operated by Movia stop near Bredgade, allowing easy access from surrounding neighborhoods and nearby towns. The city center also provides several parking options within walking distance of the cathedral.
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Mass Schedule
Monday : 8:00 AM Tuesday : 8:00 AM Wednesday : 8:00 AM Thursday : 8:00 AM , 6:00 PM Friday : 8:00 AM Saturday : 5:00 PM Sunday : 10:00 AM , 1:00 PM , 3:00 PM
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