Grundtvig (1783-1872) was a pastor, a theologian, a teacher, a writer, a politician. He lived in Copenhagen at the same time as Hans Christian Andersen and Søren Kierkegaard. Although Grundtvig is relatively unknown internationally, he is one of the most influential people in Danish history. Grundtvig’s ideas have had a lasting impact in many areas of Danish culture like education, politics and the church.

In Grundtvig's time, Vartov was a hospital with a small church. From 1839 to 1872 Grundtvig was a pastor in this church. He founded his own congregation known in Copenhagen for a lively hymn singing.

The buildings now belong to the association Grundtvigsk Forum, dedicated to bringing Grundtvig's ideas about education, freedom and democracy into play in the present. Vartov is also a conference center and home to several smaller companies. The church is an independent, grundtvigian congregation.