Hjadstrup church was built around the 12th century, and it was probably one of the first churches in the area. According to legend, people from Hals (the current Enebærodde and Hofmansgave area) had to get up at 2 in the morning to reach infant baptism and worship in the nearest church, which at the time was Hjadstrup Church.
The church was dedicated to Saint Michael, the archangel who defeated Satan and threw him out of Paradise.
The church belonged to the Crown until 1678, when Sidsel Knudsdatter Grubbe, who was a member of the royal court as an aide to Queen Sofie Amalie, bought this church and Østrup Church. In 1682 she sold the churches to her niece's spouse, Johan Didrich von Wettberg to Østrupgård, and the churches were then under this manor. Hjadstrup Church passed into private ownership in 1909.
It is a Romanesque block stone building that originally consisted only of a nave and a chancel. At the end of the 15th century, the church was rebuilt and got its tower and other buildings. In 1885, the church was once again thoroughly renovated, which was managed by the then lord of Østrupgård Elias Møller.
Worth seeing
- The altarpiece is from 1934 and painted by Axel Hou. It depicts the Resurrection of Christ and has a beautifully carved oak frame.
- The granite baptismal font is Romanesque with a nice frieze
- The choir arch crucifix is from the first half of the 15th century
- The altar table panel is from the 1570s and has reliefs with plant and animal ornaments. It was probably made by the two carpenters Rasmus and Knud Hansen, who are also behind the pulpit's sky from 1575. They have also made pulpits in three Norwegian churches after this time, so they must have moved to Norway after their work in Hjadstrup.
- The old altarpiece from 1744 and painted over in 1771 is located on the north wall of the choir. It is illusionistically painted with columns in the sides and shows the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ with the All-Seeing Eye at the top.
