Mission History

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark and International Church of Copenhagen

Christianity was first brought to Denmark by St. Ansgar, the "Apostle to the North," in the 9th century. Roman Catholic Christianity gradually took root in Denmark, and in the 11th century the Danish Vikings converted to Christianity. Most of today's stone village churches in Denmark were built in the 13th century. Danish kings had ties with Rome, and the king controlled the bishops.

The Reformation came to Denmark by the 1520s, and by 1569 all Roman Catholic activity was forbidden. Lutheran orthodoxy in the 17th century included the Danish chorale and the development of the melodious "hymn mass." Pietism made a strong impact in the 18th and 19th centuries, leading to extensive missionary outreach in many countries around the world. A total of eleven independent missionary societies have united to form the Church of Denmark Missionary Council, which interprets their work to the congregations.