Vor Frue Kirke - The Church of Our Lady - Karup, Denmark - Lutheran Churches on Waymarking.com

(DA) Frem til reformationen i 1536 var Karup et af de religiøse samlingspunkter i Danmark. Berømmelse begyndte med Helligkilden, som i middelalderen var en af de mest kendte kilder i Danmark. Ifølge et gammelt sagn fik den sit ry, da en blind mand blev helbredt ved at drikke af kildevandet. Han drømte en nat, at han skulle lade sig føre til et kildevæld, der udsprang under en sivbusk. Her skulle han bade sine øjne i vandet, mens han bad til jomfru Maria, og så skulle han få sit syn igen. Da han gjorde som i drømmen, skete underet virkelig, og han kunne atter se. Miraklet rygtedes hurtigt, og folk kom langvejs fra for at blive helbredte for alle mulige sygdomme ved at drikke af kilden. Berømmelsen medførte også velfærd for området og snart blev Vor Frue Kirke opført og prægtigt udsmykning med både altre og helgenbilleder. Den havde 7 hvælvinger og et tårn med et højt spir, som kunne ses på lang afstand på den flade egn. I nærheden af kirken blev opført et hospital, hvor de syge kunne hvile og blive passet og plejet. Hospitalet blev kaldt ”Vor Frue Alter”, og det fik i årenes løb en meget stor formue og ejede meget gods og adskillige gårde. Storheden ophørte dog ved reformationen, og kirken forfaldt langsomt. I dag er den atter en velfungerende sognekirke, der igen er rigtigt godt vedligeholdt, men står som en meget mindre kirke end oprindeligt. Der kan læses meget mere om kirkens historie i www.karup-by.dk/Karup%20Dens%20kirke%20og%20dens%20helligkilde.pdf, som er en folder fra 1911.

(EN) Before the Reformation in 1536 Karup were one of the religious gathering points in Denmark. Fame began with Helligkilden (The Holy Source), which in the Middle Ages was one of the best known sources in Denmark. According to an old legend a blind man was cured by drinking the spring water. He dreamed one night that he would have to be lead to a spring that originated under a bush. Here he had to bath his eyes with water while he prayed to the Virgin Mary, and he would get his sight back. Actually bathing his eyes, the miracle became real and he could see again. The miracle became known quickly, and people came from afar to be healed of all manner of diseases by drinking from the source. Fame also led to prosperity for the area and soon the Church of Our Lady was built and handsomely decorating with both altars and images of saints. It had 7 arches and a tower with a high spire which could be viewed from a distance on the flat region. Near the church was built a hospital where the sick could rest and be cared for and nurtured. The hospital was called "Our Lady's altar," and it became over the years very wealthy and owned much property and several farms. The greatness ended however, by the Reformation and the church matured slowly. Today it is again in good condition, but stands as a much smaller church than originally. You can read much more about the church and its story in this folder www.karup-by.dk/Karup%20Dens%20kirke%20og%20dens%20helligkilde.pdf from 1911, however only in danish.