THE QUICK GUIDE TO UNITARIANISM IN DENMARK

How Unitarianism first arrived in Denmark:

Inspired by Unitarianism from England and the Norweigan Unitarian pastor Kristofer Janson, in 1898 Theo Berg started to publish a Danish Unitarian periodical (Light over the country). 1900 he encouraged Uffe Birkedal to give lectures. From these lectures and meetings to day’s Unitarian church emerged and was founded February 1900. Later another Unitarian church would emerge in Aarhus (probably inspired by Kristofer Janson).

History of Unitarian organizations:

1900-present: The Free Church Society (to day Unitarian Church Society or The Unitarian Church in Denmark). Copenhagen. In 1950 c. 500 members, in 2005 c. 100.>>

1927-present: The only Nordic Unitarian church building, Copenhagen. The church building is named The Unitarians’ House.

?-1947-?: A Unitarian church in Aarhus. Name unknown. Ceased to exist.

Unitarian publications:

1898-1904: Lys over Landet (“Light over the country”).

Among the contributors to this periodical 1902 we find:

Uffe Birkedal

Kristofer Janson (Norwegian Unitarian pastor)

Anton M. Jensen

Sigurd Trier

1901 (a booklet): Anton M. Jensen: Maa Kristendom blive forkyndt for ”Fattig Per Eriksen?”.

1904-1993 (periodical): Protestantisk Tidene (“Protestant Tidings”).

1991 (a book): M.Chr. Uldall-Hansen: Kristne kættere og unitarisme.

1993-present (periodical): Unitaren (“The Unitarian”).

2000 (a book): Werner Bovin: Unitarismen i Danmark og dens forhistorie.

Unitarian pastors in Denmark:

The congregation in Copenhagen

1900-1918: Uffe Birkedal

1918-1965: Thorvald Kierkegaard (died 1965). After his death the Unitarian Church Society employed two persons (one theologian and one journalist) as pastors for one year. Names unknown. The church is now a lay-lead fellowship.

The congregation in Aarhus

?-?: Anton Jensen

?-1947: P. P. Høgsted (died 1947). This congregation probably ceased to exist after his death.

Internet:

The Danish Unitarian Church's homepage