Sankt Nicolai Church

Church and Architecture Through 800 Years

Sankt Nicolai Church was built between 1240 and 1280 as a late Romanesque–early Gothic nave church. Over time, the church was expanded, first with a small tower, later with a south aisle and two transept arms. In 1855, the church received a new chancel, and in 1887 the original tower was demolished. The following year, the present Neo-Gothic tower was completed.

Legends and Traces in the Masonry

On the north side of the church, facing the street Kirkegade, 23 round holes can be seen with skulls built into the wall. According to legend, they came from executed robbers who more than 300 years ago terrorized in Nørreskoven forest and attacked peaceful townspeople.

Chapel and Historical Figures

The church contains the chapel of Kai de la Mare. In 1704, Lieutenant Colonel Kai de la Mare donated 100 daler to the church in order to establish a burial place in the south chapel. During a renovation in 1862, the chapel was moved to the north chapel. Today, five coffins stand there: three containing family members, one containing an unknown person, and one open coffin containing a photostat of the bog body “Queen Gunhild,” which was found in Haraldskær Bog in 1835. The bog body is currently on loan to the Cultural Museum in the Spinderihallerne.

On the church’s north wall hang portraits of the Reformers Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon, painted in the workshop of Lucas Cranach the Younger in Wittenberg and donated to the church in 1585 by a clergyman’s widow. The historian Anders Sørensen Vedel, one of Vejle’s distinguished sons, is also portrayed in the church. Jørgen Roed’s memorial portrait from 1860 was donated by, among others, County Governor Orla Lehmann.

Restoration, New Spaces and Contemporary Art

The church underwent a comprehensive restoration and rebuilding in 2018–19, with EplusN as architects. A new heating system, new colour scheme, new movable chairs, and new electrical, lighting and sound systems were installed. At the same time, accessible entrance conditions, improved toilet facilities and new parish-house facilities were created, including a teaching room, meeting room, conversation room, baptism room and parish office.

The chancel with the altar has been newly redesigned. The old altar is suspended in the south transept. Visual artist Anders Kirkegaard created a new altarpiece, consecrated on 14 November 2021. In everyday use, the work appears as a monolith more than five metres high in three fields of colour, while during services it unfolds to reveal a resurrection motif with Vejle Fjord. The artist describes the work as his principal work.

The pulpit from 1576 has been preserved, and the church’s oldest furnishing, the baptismal font from before 1250, is placed below the chancel steps.

The new rooms beneath the gallery at the entrance are separated by glass. The screening was created by the weavers Beck & Kinch from Aarhus, who also work for international fashion houses and public institutions.

Guided Tour

On the last Thursday of each month at 4.00 pm, a free guided tour of the church is offered.
No registration is required – visitors simply turn up.

Roadside Church in the Heart of Vejle

Sankt Nicolai Church is a roadside church. Its doors are open to everyone – whether you wish to light a candle, immerse yourself in history, or simply enjoy the silence.

Indicative opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Saturday: 10.00 am – 2.00 pm
Sunday: 9.00 am – 12.00 pm

Last updated April 2026