Torkilstrup Church

{{Infobox church | image = Torkildstrup Kirke 2012-08-14 (52).JPG | native_name = Torkilstrup Kirke | native_name_lang = Danish | denomination = [[Church of Denmark]] | name = Torkilstrup Church | location = [[Torkilstrup]], [[Falster]] | country = [[Denmark]] | completed = ca. 1160 | parish = Torkilstrup Sogn | deanery = Falster Provsti | diocese = [[Diocese of Lolland–Falster]] | architectural_type = [[Romanesque architecture]], [[Gothic architecture]] }}

'''Torkilstrup Church''' ({{langx|da|Torkilstrup Kirke}}) is located in the village of [[Torkilstrup]] some 7 km (4 mi) southeast of [[Nørre Alslev]], on the [[Denmark|Danish]] island of [[Falster]]. It is built of hewn [[fieldstone]] rather than brick, indicating it is one of the oldest churches on the island from before 1160.<ref>[http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/Danmarks_kommuner/Guldborgsund_Kommune "Guldborgsund Kommune"], ''Den Store Danske''. {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 27 November 2012.</ref><ref name=natmus>[http://danmarkskirker.natmus.dk/uploads/tx_tcchurchsearch/Maribo_1130-1147.pdf Kirsten Weber-Andersen, Otto Norn, Aage Roussell, Gertrud Købke Knudsen, "Tingsted Kirke"], ''Danmarks kirker: Maribo amt, Volume 8'', 1951, Nationalmuseet, pages 1130–1147. {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 27 November 2012.</ref>

==Architecture== The west part of the [[chancel]] and the [[nave]] from the [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] period are built of hewn fieldstone with a few limestone trimmings. Rounded-arch friezes, sometimes with ornamental lilies, decorate the north and south walls of the nave, indicating an early design. The round-arched south door is still in use while the north door is bricked up. In addition to the Romanesque window in the chancel, there are traces of Romanesque windows in the nave's north wall. The extension of chancel possibly occurred as early as the 14th century but could have been during the [[Gothic architecture|Late Gothic]] period when the tower and porch were added. One of the bells in the tower is dated 1491.<ref>[http://www.nordenskirker.dk/Tidligere/Torkildstrup_kirke/Torkildstrup_kirke.htm "Torkildstrup kirke"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110131101046/http://nordenskirker.dk/Tidligere/Torkildstrup_kirke/Torkildstrup_kirke.htm |date=2011-01-31 }}, Nordens kirker, {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 27 November 2012.</ref>

==Interior== The low Romanesque chancel arch was probably adapted when cross-vaulting was added to the nave in the Gothic period. Traces of frescos from the second half of the 15th century have been found in the vaults. The [[altarpiece]] (1650) is the work of [[Jørgen Ringnis]], as is the [[pulpit]] (1640). The altar painting (1840) is by [[Lucie Marie Ingemann]], depicting the Bible story [[The Little Children|Suffer the little children to come unto me]].<ref name=natmus/> An Early Gothic crucifix from c. 1300 hangs in the church. [[B. S. Ingemann]]'s father, Søren Ingemann, is buried under the floor in the west section of the nave. The almost barrel-shaped Romanesque font of sculpted granite has a rope-shaped rim.<ref name=natmus/>

==Gallery== <gallery class="center"> File:Torkilstrup Kirke 2012-08-14 (52e).JPG|Romanesque frieze File:Torkilstrup Kirke 2012-08-14 int stol.JPG|Nave and pulpit (1640) File:Torkilstrup Kirke 'Laura' 2012-08-14 (35b).JPG|Nave and oold crucifix File:Nordenskirker Torkilstrup23.jpg|Romanesque font File:Torkilstrup Kirke 2012-08-14 alter.JPG|Altarpiece (1650) </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Churches in Falster]] [[Category:Romanesque church buildings]] [[Category:Lutheran churches converted from Roman Catholicism]] [[Category:Churches in the Diocese of Lolland–Falster]]