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List of medieval stone churches in Finland

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This is a list of medieval stone churches in Finland. A total number of 104 fieldstone churches were built between the 13th and 16th century, of which 83 have been preserved. Numbers include the sacristies of uncompleted churches as well as three churches in Vyborg which is now part of Russia.

The construction years for each church are listed in accordance with Suomen keskiajan kivikirkot ('Finnish Medieval Stone Churches') by historian Markus Hiekkanen.[1] The book, first published in 2003, builds on the chronology first put forth in Hiekkanen's 1994 doctoral thesis "The Stone Churches of the Medieval Diocese of Turku: A Systematic Classification and Chronology."[2] Until Hiekkanen's research, which is based in statistical interpretation of field observations using "a systematic database of comparative criteria,"[3] most of the churches were generally considered 100–200 years older.

While Hiekkanen's dates represent those most frequently used by state museums[4] and the Finnish Heritage Agency, his work is not universally accepted and scholars have disagreed with various elements of his research, including his methods and certain dates offered. Åsa Ringbom of Åbo Akademi University, an art historian and one of the principal researchers of the Åland Churches Project, has offered dates for the construction of the stone churches of Åland that, in some cases, differ from Hiekkanen's by a century or more. Hiekkanen has consistently dismissed the interdisciplinary methods used by Ringbom and his colleagues – which include a combined study of written sources, stylistic dating, archeological finds, dendrochronology, and mortar dating, among other modes – and, conversely, Ringbom has called into question Hiekkanen's lack of transparency regarding his methodological principals and limited incorporation of data which fall outside of his model.[3]

The provinces in this list refer to the historical provinces of Finland, which were replaced by the regions of Finland in 1634, and differ from the former provinces of Finland, which were in use during 1634 to 2009.

The official international name for cities, towns and municipalities in bilingual Finland follows the naming of the majority language of that area. But using the other name version is equal. During historical period the naming was mainly the Swedish one. The list follows the main rule as giving the official name first. But also giving the name in the other official language in the following column. This is of significant help for the reader as the names might very a lot. Medieval churches are historical and that is the reason a few of the names in Swedish that are considered out of use nowadays are entered as this is the way the churches might originally be named in sources and literature.[5]

Number of churches by province

[edit]
Province Churches Sacristies Total
Finland Proper 26 4 30
Tavastia 13 6 19
Uusimaa 14 14
Satakunta 09 4 13
Åland 13 13
Ostrobothnia 07 1 08
Karelia 04 1 05
Savonia 0 1 01

Finland Proper

[edit]
Church Church name based on the other official language of Finland Image Original
parish
Parish named based the other official language of Finland Current
municipality
Municipality in the other official language of Finland Built Notes
Halikko Church Swedish: Halikko Church Halikko (Swedish: Halikko) Halikko Swedish: Halikko 1460–1475 expanded 1813–1815
Kalanti Church Swedish: Kaland Church Kalanti Swedish: Kaland Uusikaupunki Swedish: Nystad 1430–1450
Kimito Church Finnish: Kemiönsaari Church Kimito Finnish: Kemiö Kimitoön Swedish: Kemiönsaari 1460s
Kisko Sacristy Swedish: Kisko Sacristy Kisko Swedish: Kisko Kisko Swedish: Kisko 1510–1530
Koroinen Church Swedish: Korois Church Diocese of Finland Diocese of Finland Turku Swedish: Åbo 1266–1286 foundations,
destroyed 1396
Korpo Church Finnish: Korppoo Church Korpo Finnish: Korppoo Pargas Finnish: Parainen 1430s–1440s
Laitila Church Swedish: Letala Church Laitila Swedish: Letala Laitila Swedish: Letala 1460–1483
Lemu Church Swedish: Lemu Church Lemu Swedish: Lemu Masku Swedish: Masku 1460–1480
Lieto Church Swedish: Lundo Church Lieto Swedish: Lundo Lieto Swedish: Lundo 1470s–1480s
Marttila Sacristy Swedish: S:t Mårtens acristy Marttila (Swedish: S:t Mårtens Marttila Swedish: S:t Mårtens 1500–1540 ruins
Masku Church Swedish: Masku Church Masku Swedish: Masku formerly in Swedish Masko Masku Swedish: Masku Formerly in Swedish Masko 1490–1510
Mynämäki Church Swedish: Virmo Church Mynämäki Swedish: Virmo Mynämäki Swedish: Virmo 1425–1440
Naantali Church Swedish: Nådendals Church Nådendal Abbey Swedish: Nådendal Abbey Naantali Swedish: Nådendal 1480s
Nagu Church Finnish: Nauvo Church Nagu Finnish: Nauvo Nagu Finnish: Nauvo 1430–1450
Nousiainen Church Swedish: Nousis Church Nousiainen Swedish: Nousis Nousiainen Swedish: Nousis 1420s–1430s
Pargas Church Finnish: Parainen Church Pargas (Finnish: Parainen] Pargas Finnish: Parainen 1440s/1450s
Perniö Church Swedish: Bjärnå Church Perniö (Swedish: Bjärnå Salo Salo 1460–1480
Pertteli Church Swedish: S:t Bertils Church Pertteli Swedish: S:t Bertils Salo Salo 1500–1520
Piikkiö Sacristy Swedish: Pikis Sacristy Piikkiö Swedish: Pikis Kaarina Swedish: S:t Karins 1500–1560 demolished,
no remains found
Pöytyä Sacristy Finnish: Pöytis Sacristy Pöytyä Swedish: Pöytis Pöytyä Swedish: Pöytis 1500–1560 demolished 1805,
no remains found
Raisio Church Swedish: Reso Church Raisio Swedish: Reso Raisio Swedish: Reso 1500–1520
Rusko Church Swedish: Rusko Church Rusko Swedish: Rusko Rusko Swedish: Rusko 1510–1530
Rymättylä Church Swedish: Rimito Church Rymättylä Swedish: Rimito Naantali Swedish: Nådendal 1510s
Sauvo Church Swedish: Sagu Church Sauvo Swedish: Sagu Sauvo Swedish: Sagu 1460–1472
St. Ann's Chapel Swedish: S:t Annas Chapel Uskela Swedish: Uskela Salo Swedish: Salo, Finland 1500–1520 demolished 1832,
memorial 1953
St. Catherine's Church Swedish: S:ta Catherin's Church Turku Swedish: Åbo Turku Swedish: Åbo 1440s–1450s
St. Mary's Church Swedish: S:t Marie Church Maaria Swedish: S:t Marie Turku Swedish: Åbo 1440s
Taivassalo Church Swedish: Tövsala Church Taivassalo Swedish: Tövsala Taivassalo Swedish: Tövsala 1425–1440
Turku Cathedral Swedish: Åbo Cathedral Archdiocese of Turku Swedish: Archdiocese of Åbo Turku Swedish: Åbo 1400s–1410s
Turku Dominican Church Swedish: Åbo Dominican Church Dominican Convent
in Turku
Domincan convent in Åbo, Finland Turku Swedish: Åbo 1430s no wisible remains. Place known under present street
Vehmaa Church (Swedish: Vemo Church) Vehmaa Swedish: Vemo Vehmaa Swedish: Vemo 1425–1440

Karelia

[edit]
Church Church name based on the other official language of Finland Image Original
parish
Parish name based on the other official language of Finland Current
municipality
Municipality in the other official language Built Notes
Dominican Church of Vyborg Swedish: Dominican Church of Viborg Dominican Convent
in Vyborg
Swedish: Dominican Convent
in Viborg
Vyborg Swedish: Viborg 1481 destroyed by fire 1738,
rebuilt 1828-1833,
destroyed by fire 1989
Franciscan Church of Vyborg Franciscan Church of Viborg Franciscan Convent
in Viborg
Swedish: Franciscan Convent in Viborg Vyborg Swedish: Viborg 1495–1497 demolished 1741
St. Mary's Church Swedish: S:ta Maria Church, Fredrikshamn Vehkalahti Swedish: Veckelax Hamina Swedish: Fredrikshamn 1430–1470 destroyed by fire 1821,
rebuilt
Virolahti Sacristy Swedish: Vederlax Sacristy Virolahti Swedish: Vederlax Virolahti Swedish: Vederlax 1500–1530
Vyborg Old Cathedral Swedish: Viborg Old Cathedral Vyborg Swedish: Viborg Vyborg Swedish: Viborg 1435–1445 ruins,
destroyed 1940

Ostrobothnia

[edit]
Church Church name based on the other official language in Finland Image Original
parish
Parish name based on the other official language in Finland Current
municipality
Munisipality in the other official language in Finland Built Notes
Alatornio Church Swedish: Nedertorneå Church Alatornio Swedish: Nedertorneå Tornio Swedish: Torneå 1500–1513 expanded 1794–1797
Isokyrö Old Church Swedish: Storkyro Old Church Isokyrö Swedish: Storkyro Isokyrö Swedish: Storkyro 1513–1533
Kaarlela Church Karleby Church Kaarlela Swedish: Karleby Kokkola Swedish: Gamlakarelby 1500–1530 expanded 1788–1789
Keminmaa Church Swedish: Keminmaa Church Kemi Swedish: Kemi Keminmaa Swedish: Keminmaa 1520–1553
Närpes Church Finnish: Närpiö Church Närpes Finnish: Närpiö Närpes Finnish: Närpiö 1550–1555
Pedersöre Church Finnish: Different names during centuries Pietarsaaren maalaisseurakunta Church nowadays Pedersöre Church Pedersöre Finnish: Pedersöre or earlier Pietarsaari maalaiskunta Jakobstad Finnish: Pietarsaari 1510–1520 expanded 1787–1795
St. Mary's Church Swedish: St. Mary's Church, Vasa Korsholm Finnish: Mustasaari Vaasa Swedish: Vasa 1500–1520 ruins,
destroyed by fire 1852
Vörå Sacristy Finnish: Vöyri Sacristy Vörå Finnish: Vöyri Vörå Finnish: Vöyri 1519–1522 ruins beneath the 1626 church

Satakunta

[edit]
Church Church name based on the second official language in Finland Image Original
parish
Parish name based on the second official language in Finland Current
municipality
Municipality in the other official language in Finland Built Notes
Church of the Holy Cross Swedish: Helga korskyrkan Church Franciscan Convent
in Rauma
Swedish: Franciscan Convent in Raumo Rauma Swedish: Raumo 1515–1520
Huittinen Church Swedish: Vittis Church Huittinen Swedish: Vittis Huittinen Swedish: Vittis 1500 expanded 1793 and 1860
Kokemäki Sacristy Swedish: Kumo Kokemäki Swedish: Kumo Kokemäki Swedish: Kumo 1500–1540
Köyliö Sacristy Swedish: Kjulo Sacristy Köyliö Swedish: Kjulo Köyliö Swedish: Kjulo early 16th century no remains found
Lempäälä Church Swedish: Lembois Church Lempäälä Swedish: Lembois Lempäälä Swedish: Lembois 1502–1505 expanded 1806 and 1835–1838
Loimaa Sacristy Swedish: Loimaa Sacristy or Loimijoki Sacristy Loimaa Swedish: Loimaa Loimaa Swedish: Loimaa 1500–1560 demolished 1751,
no remains found
Messukylä Old Church Swedish: Messuby Old Church Messukylä Swedish: Messuby Tampere Swedish: Tammerfors 1510–1530
Nokia Manor Chapel Swedish: Nokia gård´s Church Nokia Manor Swedish: Nokia Gård Nokia Swedish: Nokia 1505–1529 foundations,
demolished 1760s
Sastamala Church Swedish: Sastamala Church Karkku Swedish: Karkku Sastamala Swedish: Karkku 1497–1505
St. Olaf's Church Swedish: St. Olaf's Church Tyrvää Swedish: Tyrvis Sastamala Swedish: Sastamala 1506–1516 interior destroyed by fire 1997
St. Olaf's Church St. Olaf's Church Ulvila Swedish: Ulvsby Ulvila Swedish: Ulvsby 1495–1510
Trinity Church Swedish: Treenighets Church Rauma Swedish: Raumo Rauma Swedish: Raumo 1495–1505 ruins,
destroyed by fire 1640
Vesilahti Sacristy Swedish: Vesilax Sacristy Vesilahti Swedish: Vesilax Vesilahti Swedish: Vesilax 1485–1500 demolished 1839

Savonia

[edit]
Church Church name based on the second official language in Finland Image Original
parish
Parish namne based on the socond official language in Finland Current
municipality
Municipality inte the secon official langiage in Finland Built Notes
Savilahti Stone Sacristy Swedish: Savilax Stone Sacristy Savilahti Swedish: Savilax Mikkeli Swedish: St Michel 1520–1560 abandoned 18th century,
restored 1901

Tavastia

[edit]
Church Church name based on the second official language in Finland Image Original
parish
Original Parish name based on the second official language in Finland Current
municipality
Municipality name based on the second official language in Finland Built Notes
Akaa Sacristy Swedish: Ackas Sacristy Akaa Swedish: Ackas Akaa Swedish: Ackas ca. 1510
Hauho Church Swedish: Hauho Church Hauho Swedish: Hauho Hämeenlinna Swedish: Tavastehus 1500–1520
Hollola Church Swedish: Hollola Church Hollola Swedish: Hollola Hollola Swedish: Hollola 1495–1510
Holy Cross Church Swedish: Heliga Korset's Church Hattula Swedish: Hattula Hattula Swedish: Hattula 1472–1490
Hämeenkoski Church Swedish: Hämeenkoski Church Koski

Swedish: Koskis

Hämeenkoski Swedish: Hämeenkoski 1510–1560 ruins,
abandoned early 17th century
Janakkala Church Swedish: Janakkala Church Janakkala Swedish: Janakkala Janakkala Swedish: Janakkala 1510–1520 expanded 1840s
Kalvola Sacristy Swedish: Kalvola Sacristy Kalvola Swedish: Kalvola Hämeenlinna Swedish: Tavastehus 1495–1505
Lammi Church Swedish: Lampis Church Lammi Swedish: Lampis Hämeenlinna Swedish: Tavastehus 1510s
Padasjoki Sacristy Swedish: Padasjoki Sacristy Padasjoki Swedish: Padasjoki Padasjoki Swedish: Padasjoki 1520–1560 demolished 1660s,
present church 1670
Renko Church Swedish: Rengo Church Renko Swedish: Rengo Hämeenlinna Swedish: Tavastehus 1510–1550
Somero Sacristy Swedish: Somero Sacristy Somero Swedish: Somero Somero Swedish: Somero 1490s
St. Michael's Church Swedish: St. Michael's Church, Pälkäne Pälkäne Swedish: Pälkäne Pälkäne Swedish: Pälkäne 1495–1505 ruins,
abandoned 1839
Sysmä Church Swedish: Sysmä Church Sysma Swedish: Sysmä Sysmä Swedish: Sysmä 1510–1520 expanded 1833–1834
Sääksmäki Church Swedish: Sääksmäki Church Sääksmäki Swedish: Sääskmäki Valkeakoski Swedish: Valkeakoski 1495–1500 destroyed by fire 1929,
rebuilt 1933
Tammela Church Swedish: Tammela Church Tammela Swedish: Tammela Tammela Swedish: Tammela 1530–1550
Tuulos Church Swedish: Tuulos Church Tuulos Swedish: Tuulos Hämeenlinna Swedish: Tavastehus 1510–1540
Tyrväntö Sacristy Swedish: TYrväntö Sacristy or Tyrvändö Sacristy Tyrväntö Swedish: Tyrväntö or Tyrvändö Hattula Swedish: Hattula early 16th century
Urjala Sacristy Swedish: Urjala Sacristy Urjala Swedish: Urjala Urjala Swedish: Urjala 1520–1540
Vanaja Church Swedish: Vånå Church Vanaja Swedish: Vånå Hämeenlinna 1495–1510

Uusimaa

[edit]
Church Church name based on the second official language in Finland Image Original
parish
Parish name based on the second official language in Finland Current
municipality
Municipality name in the second official language in Finland Built Notes
Espoo Cathedral Swedish: Esbo Cathedral Espoo Swedish: Esbo Espoo Swedish: Esbo 1485–1490 expanded 1821–1823
Ingå Church Finnish: Inkoo Church Ingå Swedish: Inkoo Ingå Swedish: Inkoo 1430–1520
Karis Church Finnish: Karjaa Church Karis Finnish: Karjaa Raseborg Finnish: Raasepori 1465–1470
Kirkkonummi Church Swedish: Kyrslätt Church Kirkkonummi Swedish: Kyrkslätt Kirkkonummi Swedish: Kyrkslätt 1400–1490 expanded 18th and 19th century
Lohja Church Swedish: Lojo Church Lohja Swedish: Lojo Lohja Swedish: Lojo 1470–1490
Pernå Church Finnish: Pernaja Church Pernå Finnish: Pernaja Loviisa Swedish: Lovisa 1410–1442
Pojo Church Finnish: Pohja Church Pojo Finnish: Pohja Raseborg Finnish: Raasepori 1475–1480
Porvoo Cathedral Swedish: Borgå Cathedral Porvoo Swedish: Borgå Porvoo Swedish: Borgå 1414–1450
Pyhtää Church Swedish: Pyttis Church Pyhtää Swedish: Pyttis Pyhtää Swedish: Pyttis 1462
Sipoo Old Church Swedish: Sibbo gamla kyrka Sipoo Swedish: Sibbo Sipoo Swedish: Sibbo 1450–1454
Siuntio Church Swedish: Sjundeå Church Siuntio Swedish: Sjundeå Siuntio Swedish: Sjundeå 1460–1489
Tenala Church Finnish: Tenhola Church Tenala Finnish: Tenhola Raseborg Finnish: Raasepori 1460–1480
Church of St. Lawrence Swedish: Church of St. Lawrence, Vanda Helsingin pitäjän kirkonkylä Swedish: Helsinge Vantaa Swedish: Vanda 1450s
Vihti Church Swedish: Vichtis Church Vihti Swedish: Vichtis Vihti Swedish: Vichtis 1500–1520 ruins,
abandoned 1801

Åland

[edit]

Åland is officially monolingual Swedish speaking and the names are just according to the Swedish language.

Church Image Original
parish
Current
municipality
Built Notes
Church of St. Olaf Jomala Jomala 1275–1285
Eckerö Church Eckerö Eckerö 1380–1420
Finström Church Finström Finström 1440–1470
Föglö Church Föglö Föglö 1500–1520 expanded 1859–1860
Geta Church Geta Geta 1510–1540
Hammarland Church Hammarland Hammarland 14th century
Kumlinge Church Kumlinge Kumlinge 1500–1510
Kökar Church Franciscan Convent
in Kökar
Kökar 1500–1520 abandoned late 16th century,
present church 1784
Lemböte Chapel Lemland Lemland 1500–1530 abandoned late 16th century,
renovated 1890s
Lemland Church Lemland Lemland 1290–1310
Saltvik Church Saltvik Saltvik 1350s–1370s
Sund Church Sund Sund late 13th century
Vårdö Church Vårdö Vårdö 1520–1550

Sources

[edit]
  1. ^ Hiekkanen, Markus (2007). Suomen keskiajan kivikirkot (in Finnish) (2nd ed.). Helsinki: Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura. ISBN 978-951-746-861-9.
  2. ^ Hiekkanen, Markus (1994). The Stone Churches of the Medieval Diocese of Turku: A Systematic Classification and Chronology (Doctoral dissertation). Translated by Kokkonen, Jüri. Helsinki: Suomen Muinaismuistoyhdistys [Finnish Antiquarian Society]. ISBN 978-951-9057-11-8.
  3. ^ a b Ringbom, Åsa (January 2012). "A reply to Hiekkanen regarding the Medieval churches of Åland". Fornvännen. 107 (1): 50–53 – via ResearchGate.
  4. ^ Tulkki, Carita (2006). Ulvilan kirkko ja tapuli: Ulvilan kirkon ja tapulin restaurointi- ja korjaustyön arkeologinen valvonta 2004–2005 (in Finnish). Pori: Satakunnan Museo. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  5. ^ https://sprakbruk.fi/artiklar/vad-heter-jakobstad-pa-engelska/

See also

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