The Old Church

The old church of Helsinki was designed by famous architect C. L. Engel and completed in 1826. It was originally mentioned to be temporary church for the construction time of new cathedral in Senate Square.

When the old Ulrika Eleonora Church was demolished, the recovered building materials and part of the movables were auctioned but some of the furnishings including the pulpit, benches and chandeliers as well as the organ were relocated to the newly built church. These furnishings were however replaced over the years with the exception of the pulpit. A new 36 stop organ built by Per Larsson Åkermann was installed in 1869.

The altarpiece painted by Robert Wilhelm Ekman was initially commissioned for Helsinki Cathedral, but was instead placed in the Old Church in 1854.

The old park, called also as “the Plague Park” , surrounding the church was originally a cemetery. It’s name cames from the time of Great Wrath (1710), when many victims of plague were buried to the ground. The latest burial was made in 1919. At the northeast corner of park lies the tomb of merchant Johan Sederholm (1722-1805).

At weekends the church is popular place for weddings and other events.

Address

Bulevardi 12, Helsinki, Finland

Details

Founded: 1826
Category: Religious sites in Finland
Historical period: Russian Grand Duchy (Finland)