Churches in Lapland

Lapland's Sacred Sites

This collection showcases the diverse ecclesiastical architecture of Lapland, ranging from 17th-century wooden block-pillar churches to mid-20th-century post-war reconstructions. Highlights include the Sodankylä Old Church, one of Finland's oldest wooden buildings, and the Utsjoki Church, the northernmost in the European Union. These sites, often situated along major rivers like the Kemijoki and Tana, reflect the region's history, from medieval traditions to the neoclassical designs of C.L. Engel and modern functionalist styles.

Lapland's Sacred Sites — Map

Htm / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Inarin seurakuntatalo

A parish hall and gathering space for the local Lutheran congregation in Inari.

B

Valjok Church

Valjok Church is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Karasjok Municipality in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway.

Peltsi84 / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Utsjoki Church

Utsjoki Church is a church in the Lapland town of Utsjoki. It is the northernmost church in Finland as well as in the European Union.

David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl / Public domain

D

Sodankylä Old Church

A well-preserved wooden church built in 1689, representing one of the oldest examples of ecclesiastical architecture in Lapland.

Lijonama45 / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Rovaniemi Church

The Rovaniemi Church is a church located in the city center of Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland.

BishkekRocks / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Enontekiö Church

A post-war church built between 1951 and 1952, featuring a prominent 30-meter-high bell tower and an altar fresco depicting the resettlement of Lapland.

G

Tervolan iso kirkko

A large Lutheran church constructed between 1861 and 1864, situated on the banks of the Kemijoki river.

Lijonama80 / CC BY-SA 4.0

H

Keminmaan kirkko

A neoclassical stone church designed by architect Carl Ludvig Engel and completed in 1827, serving the Keminmaa parish.

Birit / CC BY 2.5

I

Ivalo Church

A modern parish church completed in 1966, serving the administrative center of the Inari municipality.

Htm / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Ylitornion kirkko

A Lutheran church completed in 1940, replacing an earlier structure destroyed by fire.

David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl / Public domain

K

Sodankylä Old Church

Sodankylä Old Church is a 17th-century wooden church located near the Kitinen River in the Sodankylä municipality in Lapland, Finland.

Skigee12 / CC BY-SA 4.0

L

Kursun kirkko

A village church located in Kursu, within the Salla municipality of eastern Lapland.

Htm / CC BY-SA 3.0

M

Inari Sámi Church

An evangelical-lutheran church in Inari village, specifically serving the local Sámi community and featuring regional architectural elements.

N

Polmak kirke

A historic wooden parish church in Tana, Norway, dating back to 1853.

O

Viirin kappeli

A small rural chapel located in the village of Viiri, northeast of Rovaniemi.

P

Sirma kirke

A small wooden chapel located in the village of Sirma along the Tana River in Norway.

Q

Sodankylä New Church

The Sodankylä Church is the 19th-century grey stone church located in the Sodankylä municipality in Lapland, Finland.

R

Kolarin kirkko

A modern Lutheran church in Kolari, designed by Veikko Larkas and completed in 1965.

S

Tervolan vanha kirkko

A 17th-century wooden church built between 1687 and 1689, known for its well-preserved block-pillar construction.

T

Pellon kirkko

A parish church constructed between 1950 and 1953, replacing the previous church destroyed during the Lapland War.

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