# Freerslev Church > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Freerslev_Church > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Freerslev_Church.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freerslev_Church > Source revision: 1354560327 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Church in Denmark Freerslev Church Freerslev Kirke Freerslev Church Country Denmark Denomination Church of Denmark Administration Diocese Diocese of Roskilde Deanery Tryggevælde Provsti Parish Freerslev Sogn **Freerslev Church** ([Danish](/source/Danish_language): *Freerslev Kirke*) is located in the [Danish](/source/Denmark) [Diocese of Roskilde](/source/Diocese_of_Roskilde), [Faxe Municipality](/source/Faxe_Municipality) in [Region Sjælland](/source/Region_Sj%C3%A6lland) on the island of [Zealand](/source/Zealand_(Denmark)). Parts of the original [Romanesque](/source/Romanesque_architecture) church subsist today although there have been substantial [Gothic](/source/Gothic_architecture) additions. Primitive 14th-century frescos have been uncovered in the arch of an old window on the north wall. ## History The [Romanesque](/source/Romanesque_architecture) sections of the church probably date from the beginning of the 13th century but the first documented reference is in the Bishop of Roskilde's Taxation Book (*Roskildebispens Jordebog*) c. 1370. In 1672 [Hans Schack](/source/Hans_Schack), who had bought the nearby [Gisselfeld](/source/Gisselfeld) estate the year before, was granted [jus patronatus](/source/Jus_patronatus) ownership. In 1762, the church was sold to the statesman [Adam Gottlob Moltke](/source/Adam_Gottlob_Moltke) (1710-1792[1]) of [Bregentved](/source/Bregentved). It gained its independence in 1911.[2] ## Architecture Located south of the village of Freerslev on a hilltop between [Haslev](/source/Haslev) and the [E47 motorway](/source/European_route_E47),[3] Freerslev Church dates back to c. 1200. Of the original Romanesque church, the north and south walls of the [nave](/source/Nave), built of Faxe limestone, still remain. At the centre of the north wall, a window from the original building was reopened in 1914. Probably as far back as the 13th century, the nave was lengthened towards the west, the lateral walls being constructed of chalk and fieldstone while the gable was brick. In the 14th century, the tower was added, only two storeys high, decorated with belts of brick and chalk. The outer walls are decorated with nine vertical blank windows.[2] The porch was originally built of brick in the late [Middle Ages](/source/Middle_Ages) but was later heightened while new doors and windows were added. In 1886–87, the old [chancel](/source/Chancel) was demolished. An old grave containing two skeletons was discovered, possibly dating from a former wooden church. The chancel was rebuilt in yellow brick with a semi-circular [apse](/source/Apse).[2] ## Interior The granite [font](/source/Baptismal_font) in the [Romanesque](/source/Romanesque_architecture) style has rope-like framing around 11 rounded segments and a thicker rope decoration just above the base. The decorated baptismal bowl from c. 1550 was created at the [Nuremberg](/source/Nuremberg) workshop. The high [Renaissance](/source/Renaissance_art) [altarpiece](/source/Altarpiece) from c. 1600 is in fir, its wing decorations flanking the text of the [Lord's Prayer](/source/Lord's_Prayer). The more recent headpiece contains a picture of the [Resurrection](/source/Resurrection_of_Jesus). The Renaissance [pulpit](/source/Pulpit) and its canopy are the work of artists from [Næstved](/source/N%C3%A6stved).[2] The chancel was fully restored and repainted in 1989.[4][5] The [Marcussen](/source/Marcussen_%26_S%C3%B8n) organ with seven registers was installed in 1960.[6] ### Frescoes The arch of the Romanesque window at the centre of the north wall is decorated with 14th-century russet-brown frescos which were rediscovered in 1914 after being limewashed at the time of the [Reformation](/source/Reformation_in_Denmark%E2%80%93Norway_and_Holstein). They depict a stylized tree with triangular leaves flanked by two crosses and a bird perched on a lily.[2] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Majvang1972_1-0)** Majvang, Arne (1972). [*Haslev og Freerslev Sognes historie*](https://books.google.com/books?id=1fpBAAAAIAAJ). Aage Sands Boghandel. p. 81. Retrieved 24 April 2013. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-vhpn_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-vhpn_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-vhpn_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-vhpn_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-vhpn_2-4) "Freerslev Kirke" in Victor Hermansen and Poul Nørlund, *Danmarks Kirker: Sorø Amt*, Nationalmuseet 1936, pages 581–587. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Freerslev Kirke"](http://www.haslevkirke.dk/freerslev-kirke/), Haslev Kirke. (in Danish) Retrieved 24 April 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Freerselv Church"](https://archive.today/20130630141018/http://www.visitdenmark.com/nb/danmark/freerslev-kirke-gdk618434), Visit Denmark. Retrieved 24 April 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-kid_5-0)** ["Freerslev Kirke"](http://www.danmarks-kirker.dk/roskilde/freerslev_ros.htm), Kirker i Danmark. (in Danish) Retrieved 24 April 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Freerskev Kirke"](http://www.kirkehistorie.dk/ring/ki716.htm), Dansk kirkehistorie. (in Danish) Retrieved 24 April 2013. ## Further reading - Majvang, Arne (1967). [*Haslevs historie: Haslev og Freerslev sognes historie*](https://books.google.com/books?id=6YtmPgAACAAJ) (in Danish). Aage Sands Boghandel. p. 470. - Victor Hermansen and Poul Nørlund, "Freerslev Kirke" in *Danmarks Kirker: Sorø Amt*, Nationalmuseet 1936, pages 581–587 ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Freerslev Church](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Freerslev_Kirke). - [Freerslev Kirke from Kirker i Danmark](http://www.danmarks-kirker.dk/roskilde/freerslev_ros.htm) with several photographs (in Danish) [55°19′31″N 12°00′58″E / 55.32528°N 12.01611°E / 55.32528; 12.01611](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Freerslev_Church¶ms=55_19_31_N_12_00_58_E_) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Freerslev Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freerslev_Church) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freerslev_Church?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.