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Viikki church

04.04.2017, 15:27
The exterior walls of the newest church building in Helsinki are made of split aspen shingles. In the interior, there is a forest of pillars made of glulam cluster columns. The altarpiece, Elämän puu (Tree of life), and the works in the baptism recess and on the foyer wall are mahogany patterned with punched silver. Their motif is the vine parable of Jesus. The church, which represents ecological wooden architecture, was completed in 2005.

The Viikki church, completed in 2005, was designed by architect Samuli Miettinen from the architectural practice, JKMM. The altarpiece, the crucifix and the works in the baptism recess and foyer are by artist, Antti Tanttu. The church textiles were designed by textile artist, Hanna Korvela.

The church floors, walls, pillars and ceiling are made of spruce. The external cladding and double shingling are aspen. The sacral furnishing and the church and parish meeting hall furnishings are made of aspen. The furnishings in the foyer and youth facilities are oak. Some individual pieces of furniture notwithstanding, all of the details, including hangers, were designed for this church.

The church is built in an area which the Helsinki parishes acquired in the 1940s for a cemetery. The increase of urn burials has enabled putting the area into other uses. In addition to the church, housing and a shop have been built on the parish land. Part of the still unbuilt housing will be targeted for the elderly, for whom there will also be set of central services next to the church.

The Viikki church is used by the Malmi parish.

Celebrations at the church

Members of the church can organise a baptism, a wedding or a funeral free of charge in the church.

The church seats 200 people. The church and parish meeting hall seat 400 people when combined. In the large parish meeting hall, Viinitarhuri hall, there are 70 seats at tables, in the Viinipuu hall, 30. The kitchen with its tableware is available for party organisers.