St Henry's Church

Peltolantie 2

Phone +358 2 261 7160
Fax    +358 2 261 7161 

Open daily.

Service in Finnish on Sundays at 10 am.

St Henry's parish was formed in 1963 from parts of the Cathedral parish, and the parishes of St Martin and Kaarina. The parish hall at Vasaramäki, which was designed by the architect Erik Bryggman, was converted into a temporary parish church. However, even at that time the wish for the parish to have a church of its own had already arisen. 

The parish hall which was located in the middle of a housing area became the centre for parish activities in that area. In addition to the living accommodation for the people working there, there was a place for prayer meetings, the district nurse's office, a day care center, and premises for the activities of parishioners of all ages. 

The actual work on the planning of the contruction of St Henry's church began in 1965 and the design was approved in 1967. The winning design in the competition was the one by the architectural firm of Pitkänen, Laiho, and Raunio. A suitable site for the church was found in the very heart of the parish at Peltolantie 2. The building of the church began in 1979 and Archbishop Mikko Juva consecrated it on the 4th of May 1980.

The basic idea of the church is in line with the wide range of activities known since the times in Vasaramäki that are essential to present day parish activities. 

The welcoming sound of the bells relays the Saviour's own message: "I am the redeemer and the life". "Come and follow me", and "Go out into all the world".

There are no steps at all at the main entrance of the church, and even in other ways the objective has been to make it as easily accessible as possible.

The entrance hall to the church also provides a meeting place for the parishioners. On one side of the main door to the entrance hall there is proposal for an altar sculpture by Arvo Heinonen, and on the opposite side a proposal by Raimo Utriainen.

Enter the church, and you will be captured by a large, dominant cross on the wall behind the altar. The cross was acquired according to the wishes of the parishioners in 1984. The altar is placed so that the liturgical place during divine services is behind the altar. On the altar itself lies a copy of the Bible of 1878, a gift of the Turku Chapter. During divine services there is also a table cross made of gold and silver on the table. On the left hand side of the altar there is a silver font. The pulpit is low and has a brick foundation. It has been deliberately built in such a way that the celebrant stands behind the altar and faces congregation. This feeling of intimacy is enhanced by the wide, short shape of the church.

Behind the pulpit there is a sculpture called "The Ariser" by Eero Hiironen. The 25-register mechanical organ of the church was built by Kangasalan Urkutehdas (Kangasala Organ Factory) in 1981. In accordance with Finnish tradition the pews in the church are long and uniform. The construction of some of the pews also permits kneeling. The maximum seating capacity of the church is 675 people.

The "ryijy" rug on the wall of the passage leading from the church to the sacristry was designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela and was presented to the church in 1980 by the Ispoinen Women's Institute. The works of art on the back wall of the parish hall are the crucifix from the parish hall at Vasaramäki, two wood carvings by Erkki Tanttu and a sculpture in gypsum representing St Anna.

T'he youth centre premises at the church comprise various club rooms including a girl guide meeting room as well as a meeting room for confirmation classes. 

The Parish of St. Henry has been named after Henry, the first Bishop of Finland. The Church of St Henry has been called a church of joy and of hope. It has become a much frequented, functional and very well liked home for the younger congregation.