Archangel Michael's church, Lutheran church in central Turku, Finland
Archangel Michael's church is a Lutheran place of worship in central Turku featuring a striking red brick exterior and a 77-meter-high spire clad in grey-green Norwegian slate. The interior can hold around 1,800 people and includes a modern organ with 52 stops installed in the early 2000s.
Architect Lars Sonck won a design competition for this building in 1894 when he was just 23 years old, and construction finished in 1905. The church remained without its own parish until 1921, when it finally became an independent congregation.
The church displays Finnish craftsmanship through soapstone furnishings and religious windows created by artists working in Paris. The interiors show how local makers and international artists came together to create the sacred space.
The church welcomes visitors for various occasions including weddings and serves as an active worship space. Access from street level is straightforward, and the building's size allows comfortable movement through the nave and side areas.
The original stained glass windows showing Finnish pine trees were destroyed during the Winter War and replaced with new designs depicting Faith, Hope, and Charity. This replacement marks a turning point where wartime damage led to a fresh artistic vision for the church.
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