Christian's Church, Copenhagen

Christian's Church
Christian's Church
55°40′20.5″N 12°35′14″E / 55.672361°N 12.58722°E / 55.672361; 12.58722Coordinates: 55°40′20.5″N 12°35′14″E / 55.672361°N 12.58722°E / 55.672361; 12.58722
Location	Christianshavn, Copenhagen
Country	Denmark
Denomination	Protestant
Architecture
Status	Church
Architect(s)	Nicolai Eigtved
Architectural type	Church
Style	Rococo
Completed	1758
Specifications
Height	70 m (229 ft 8 in)
Materials	Brick
Administration
Diocese	Diocese of Copenhagen

Christian's Church (Danish: Christians Kirke) is a magnificent Rococo church in the Christianshavn district of Copenhagen, Denmark. Designed by Nicolai Eigtved, it was built 1754–59.

The church was originally built by the German community as a church for the large German community at Christianshavn and served this purpose until the end of the 19th century. Today it is a regular parish church for Christian's Parish within the Danish National Church. Its name is a reference to King Christian IV. who founded the Christianshavn district in 1611.

After Christian IV founded Christianshavn in 1617 as a town specially for merchants, a large community of German tradrers and craftsmen settled there. Even though Christianshavn had been incorporated into Copenhagen prior to 1674, they did not attend St. Peter's Church like the rest of the city's German community but preferred to use the local Church of Our Saviour. This lasted until they finally asked King Christian VI for permission to build their own church. The King approved the plans and contributed with a lot, a former saltern, located at the end of Strandgade in the southern part of the neighbourhood. He also granted permission for a lottery to be held to cover the project's financing with the result that the finished church used to be colloquially known as the Lottery Church.

In return for his approaval and donation of the lot, the king laid down very specific guidelines for the placement and design of the church building.