Top 10 Facts about St. John’s Church, Helsinki

St. John’s Church, Helsinki.Author Jisis.WIKIMEDIA

Top 10 Facts about St. John’s Church, Helsinki

St John’s Church in Helsinki, Finland is a Lutheran church which was designed by Swedish architect Adolf Melander in the Gothic Revival Style. The church was built between 1888 and 1891 and is the third Lutheran and still the biggest church in Helsinki. It is situated in the Ullanlinna district of Helsinki and is the largest stone church in Finland.

Originally, the church had a capacity of three thousand people. However, in later years, the church was made more flexible by removing several rows of pews. In recent days, St. John’s Church has had a sitting capacity of just over two thousand two hundred people.

The church is 59.38 metres long and its central nave measures 42.75 metres. There is a tower of the church which stands 74.22 metres high. St John’s Church has bells which ring in the three first notes (C-sharp, E and F-sharp) of the Te Deum hymn which was put in place in 1932.

Along the walls of the aisles of St John’s Church are a series of wood reliefs which were made in Italy. These wood reliefs constitute the fourteen stations of the Way of the Cross. They show the Via Dolorosa from Pontius Pilate condemning Jesus to his death on the Cross to bring places in the tomb.

Here are the Top 10 Facts about St. John’s Church, Helsinki:

1. St John’s Church was Previously Built on a Hill of the Outskirts of the City

St John’s Church, Helsinki was previously not located in its current location. During the late 19th century, this Church was built on a hill in what was by then the outskirts of Helsinki city.

The original name of the church was the New Church. It was built to accommodate the growing population of Helsinki when two churches, Vanha kirkko and St Nicholas Church were proved to be too small. This new church built on the hill was dedicated to St John the Baptist.

2. The Church was Designed by Swedish Architect in the Gothic Revival Style

St. John’s Church, Helsinki.Author Abc10.WIKIMEDIA

St John’s Church which is also known as Johanneksenkirkko in Finnish and Johanneskykan in Swedish is the largest stone church in Finland. It was built between 1888 and 1891.

 The church was designed by the Swedish architect Adolf Melander in the Gothic Revival Style. Adolf Melander is one the notable architects in Sweden and Finland who took part in several architectural projects.

3. The Church’s Seating Capacity was Reduced to make it More Flexible

St. John’s Church, Helsinki was built as a basilica with a central nave and two aisles. Being the largest stone church in Finland, the church originally had a seating capacity of three thousand people.

However, in later years, there was a need to make the church flexible to make the summons and services flow without any interruptions. Several rows of pews were removed and remained with a seating capacity of over two thousand two hundred people.

4. There are a series of Wood Reliefs made in Italy along the Walls of the Aisles

St John’s Church has some aisles along the building. These aisles have walls which are held into place by a series of wood reliefs which were made in Italy.

The wood reliefs constitute the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross. It shows the Via Dolorosa from Pontius Pilate condemning Jesus to his death on the Cross up to being laid in the tomb.

There is a special period known as Lent when Via Crucis devotions are regularly held at the church. People are given the chance to walk the Way of the Cross from station to station as they listen to the readings and pray the corresponding prayers.

5. A Competition to Provide the Church with an Altarpiece was held in 1891

St. John’s Church.Author Itto Ogami. WIKIMEDIA

During the completion of the church, the Altarpiece had not been put in place. In 1891, the church put up a competition to get someone to provide an altarpiece.

The first two places were won by Albert Edelfelt who later objected to the limited space the architect had allowed for the painting. This conflict of interest halted the process of provision of the altarpiece.

6. A Statue of John the Baptist is next to the Main Entrance

St John’s Church, Helsinki was previously dedicated to St John the Baptist. This is where the current name was derived and the reason is clear as you approach the church.

Next to the main entrance of St John’s Church is a huge statue that gives the reason for its name. The statue of John the Baptist which was sculpted by Kari Juva in 2003 is at the entrance.

7. The Church’s Organ has 66 Registers and 4036 Pipes

St John’s Church’s main organ was built in 1891 by the world-renowned German company E.F. Walcker & Cie of Ludwigsburg. It represented the latest technology in organ building through its tubular-pneumatic action.

Originally, the organ had 61 registers making it the largest at the time in Finland. It was later broadened by Oskar Merikanto in 1921.

The organ was then excellently restored in 2004-05 by Christian Scheffler after unsuccessful attempts in 1937 and 1956. The organ currently has 66 registers and a total of 4036 pipes.

8. Several Events take place at the Church

St John’s Church.Author Marit Henriksson.WIKIMEDIA

St John’s Church is currently located in a strategic location. Its central location and imposing stature have attracted several events.

The church is popular for weddings which have taken place in large numbers in recent days. St John’s Church is also favoured as a concert venue due to the excellent acoustics.

9. Various Services are held at Specific Times at the Church

St John’s Church has several schedules for different activities. Their main Sunday services at St John’s Parish usually take place every Sunday at noon.

In addition to the main service each Sunday, congregants do gather for midday prayers every weekday from September through May at noon.

10. A 6-Month Renovation of the Church was Completed Recently

Helsinki’s raw sea air and weather fluctuations on both sides of zero had worn out the conditions of the concrete decorations of the church. There was fear that they would crumble and fall into people in time.

A six-month renovation was scheduled and finished in August 2022. The gargoyles of the church were repaired and renewed.