Architect
Unknown
Completion
1689
Renovation
1926
Themes
Churches throughout History
Category
Assembly buildings
Tags
church restoration sacred shingle vernacular wood

The Sodankylä Old Church was built in 1689. It is one of the oldest buildings in Lapland, as most of the villages and towns, even the town of Sodankylä, were destroyed during the Lapland War 1944–1945.

The wooden church represents the style of medieval churches in Finland. It is a fine example of the vernacular wooden built heritage. The church has approximately 220 seats.

The church was abandoned in 1859 when the new church was completed. The heritage value of the old church was recognised in the 1920s, and the church was restored in 1926. The shingle roof and siding were restored in close coordination with the National Board of Antiquities in 1992–1995.

Location

Kirkkotie 1, Sodankylä
67.4146248, 26.5970628

Images

Old church has retained its original appearance, Sodankylä Old Church
Old church has retained its original appearance, Sodankylä Old Church (© EerikLehto / Wikimedia Commons)
Interior and the altar, Sodankylä Old Church
Interior and the altar, Sodankylä Old Church (© Antti Leppänen / Wikimedia Commons)
Altar, Sodankylä Old Church
Altar, Sodankylä Old Church (© Usm / Wikimedia Commons)
Sodankylä Old Church
Sodankylä Old Church (© Htm / Wikimedia Commons)

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