Pastor Johannes Prætorius

Welcome to Pastor Johannes Prætorius Room, a space that honours the man who played an indispensable role in establishing Christiansfeld and the Brødremenighedens presence in Denmark. Johannes Prætorius, born on 20 October 1738 in Copenhagen, was not only a priest, but also a visionary leader who, with his energy and dedication, contributed to the founding and development of the town.

The story behind the room

Johannes Prætorius was sent to Brødremenighedens boarding school in Marienborn as a young man and later studied at the Brødremenighedens theological seminary in Barby, where he was ordained as a priest in 1765. In 1770, he became pastor in Gnadau, and already the following year he was entrusted with an important task by the Danish government: to find a suitable site for a Brødremenighed village in Denmark. He was the central figure in the establishment of Christiansfeld, and in 1772 he was appointed as the town's first pastor.

Prætorius played an important role in the town's planning, and his vision for the town's structure and business life was the foundation of what Christiansfeld is today. Under his leadership, crafts such as tanneries, shoemaking and leather factories were established, giving the town an economic edge. Prætorius was also responsible for the first town plan, and his own home, Lindegade 28, was one of the first buildings to be built in the town.

In 1773, Prætorius married Marie Jensen from Copenhagen and they worked together to build up the town's schools and institutions. Despite a serious illness that forced him to give up the priesthood in 1774, he continued to work for Brødremenigheden in Christiansfeld until his death in 1782. His father, Lorenz Prætorius, lived with him from 1779 until his own death in 1781. To honour his invaluable contribution to Christiansfeld, the hotel's square was named after him - Prætorius Plads.

About the room

Pastor Johannes Prætorius Room is decorated with respect for the time and the visions that Prætorius had for Christiansfeld. The room reflects both his role as a pastor and his involvement in the building of the town. The atmosphere is characterised by simple elegance, which was typical of Brødremenighedens members and the time in which Prætorius lived and worked.

The room offers:

• A classic double bed that reflects 18th-century style
• Furniture and details that evoke Prætorius’ vision of harmony and functionality
• A cosy bathroom with modern comfort
• Windows overlooking the area that was once part of Prætorius’ plans

Experience Pastor Johannes Prætorius Room and get a sense of the deep dedication that Prætorius had to mould Christiansfeld into what it is today.