Roholte Church

Roholte Church
Roholte Church from the southeast
Roholte Church Location in Zealand
Coordinates: 55°11′44″N 12°5′26″E / 55.19556°N 12.09056°E / 55.19556; 12.09056
Location	Roholte, near Præstø, Zealand
Country	Denmark
Denomination	Church of Denmark
Website	http://sogn.dk/roholte/
History
Dedication	Saint Anne
Consecrated	1441
Architecture
Status	Parish church
Functional status	Active
Architectural type	Church
Style	Gothic
Groundbreaking	15th century
Completed	1884
Specifications
Materials	Brick and chalk
Administration
Parish	Roholte
Deanery	Tryggevælde, Præstø
Diocese	Roskilde

Roholte Church (Danish: Roholte Kirke) is a church located in the village of Roholte, between Faxe and Præstø in Roholte Parish, Faxe Municipality, Region Zealand, Denmark. From 1441 to 1677, the church belonged to the king. In 1737, it became the property of Otto Thott. It remained in the Thott family until 1953.

The original architecture is in the Late Gothic style, with additions in 1500 and renovations in 1884. The interior is a mix of Gothic and High Renaissance styles. The crucifix once had an inscription, now lost, that was among the oldest of its kind.

On a beam below the church's crucifix, there is an inscription: "Templum hoc fundatum est tempore Christophori regis Daniæ Anno 1441" (This church was founded in King Christopher of Denmark's time in the year 1441). Another reference to the church's origin can be found in a letter from Oluf Mortensen, Bishop of Roskilde, in 1467 which refers to the parish church of "Roolthe" which some years ago was built anew ("de novo erecta fuerit et constructa ... nonnullis annis elapsis") and dedicated to Saint Anne. In a deed of gift from Christian V dated 19 December 1677, Mette Sophie Urne til Lindersvold was granted ownership of the church in accordance with jus patronatus.Otto Thott (1703–1785) purchased Gavnø in 1737. As a result, the church remained in the hands of the Thott family for some 200 years. Major restoration work was carried out in 1883–1884 under Kjeld Thor Tage Otto Reedtz-Thott.

Situated on undulating ground with a view to the south, the original Late Gothic building from 1441 consisted of a nave, narrowing somewhat towards the west, and a chancel with a three-sided east wall. Red brick interspersed with blocks of chalk was used to achieve a decorative belted effect on the walls. The tower, which is slightly more recent than the nave, was probably built around 1500. It has stepped gables with narrow blank windows and is decorated with belts of brick and chalk. The western windows have rounded arches. The sacristy, now used as a funeral chapel, was added around 1500 and has a tall stepped gable with five stages. The east wall of the chancel was completely rebuilt during restoration work completed in 1884. The walls of the nave were also heightened at that time, and the porch was reconstructed.