St. Mary's Church of Lappee

St. Mary's Church of Lappee is a wooden church in Lappeenranta with a distinctive double cross design where two sections intersect to create an unusual floor plan. The building rises above the city and holds about 840 people, with a separate bell tower positioned southwest of the main structure.

Construction began in 1792 under architect Juhana Salonen after lightning destroyed the previous fortress church in 1790. This rebuilding marked the start of a new religious center for the growing community.

The altarpiece by Alexandra Frosterus-Såltin shows Christ's Ascension and reflects the religious artistic skill of 19th-century Finland. The work reveals how important artists of the period contributed their talents to this building's interior design.

The building is located at Valtakatu 35 and is accessible at various times throughout the year, especially when services take place. It's helpful to check ahead about when services are scheduled to plan your visit properly.

This is Finland's only surviving church with a double cross form from the 18th century, a feature that stands apart from other churches in the country. The two intersecting transepts create a floor plan rarely seen in Nordic church architecture.

Location: Lappeenranta

Inception: 1791

Architects: Juhana Salonen

Elevation above the sea: 100 m

Made from material: wood

Address: Valtakatu 35, 53100 Lappeenranta

Website: https://lappeenrannanseurakunnat.fi/lappeen-kirkko1

GPS coordinates: 61.05830,28.18830

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:41