Nautrup Church – Romanesque Granite and Lost Details
Nautrup Church is a Romanesque ashlar church consisting of a chancel and nave. In 1931, a tower and semicircular porch were added during a major and rather harsh restoration led by architect S. Vig Nielsen from Viborg. Most traces of the original details disappeared during this renovation. The church once had a tower, but it had vanished before 1750.
The granite altar table once held a lead capsule containing relics. The altarpiece dates from the early 1600s, with slightly younger painting. The crucifix in the central panel is from 1931.
The pulpit, with four corner columns, is from the same period as the altarpiece, though the virtue motifs in the arches were added later.
On the north wall hangs a Rococo-style epitaph for Alexander Basballe, who served as priest in Nautrup, Sæby, and Vile from 1715 to 1737. The plaque was installed by his daughter in 1755.
A small brass chandelier from the 18th century hangs in the nave, and a Romanesque gravestone with a carved cross is embedded in the west wall of the tower.
The church bell is believed to date from the first half of the 13th century.
In the southwest corner of the churchyard, a memorial area has been created using stones from discontinued graves. One notable stone is a large natural boulder raised in memory of Maren and Jens Jensen Grove – placed by a grateful donor whose education was funded by Jens Jensen Grove.
