Grathe Church
Haugevej 51, 8620, Kjellerup
Grathe church is a relatively new whitewashed village church, consecrated in 1917, with the tower added in 1930. The church was built roughly ½ km south of the site where Grathe chapel once stood.
The history
Legend has it that the chapel was erected by the victor, King Valdemar the Great, where the fallen king Svend was buried after the Battle of Grathe Heath on 23 October 1157. Grathe chapel fell into disrepair after the Reformation, but some of the stones from the ruins were built into the existing church. The striking stone above the door between the nave and the tower bears the inscription (translation): In Grathe chapel for many years I heard the song of mass. In Grathe church I now stand and hear the bell ring. The church is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset.