Rovaniemi Church

Rovaniemi Church is a Lutheran place of worship in northern Finland featuring a 54-meter steeple topped with a glowing red neon cross that dominates the city skyline. Inside, a monumental altar fresco measuring 14 meters high and 11 meters wide covers the east wall behind the main altar.

A previous church building from 1817 occupied the site until the Lapland War in 1944 destroyed it completely. Reconstruction became a priority for the community, and the current building was completed by August 1950.

The interior design follows Finnish architectural principles with clean lines and natural materials, creating a space where the altar becomes the focal point for visitors entering the building.

The building can accommodate around 850 people and is typically open to visitors from 9 AM until 9 PM, whether coming for worship or tourism. To best appreciate the altar fresco, visitors should walk toward the center aisle where the full composition of the artwork becomes visible.

The pipe organ installed in 1987 was manufactured by a Danish factory and contains over 4000 pipes arranged across numerous registers, making it a substantial musical instrument. This large organ required careful engineering to fit into the church space and remains a striking element of the interior.

Location: Rovaniemi

Inception: 1950

Architects: Bertel Liljequist

Official opening: August 20, 1950

Elevation above the sea: 87 m

Address: Yliopistonkatu 2, 96101 Rovaniemi

Website: https://rovaniemenseurakunta.fi/kirkot-ja-tilat/rovaniemen-kirkko

GPS coordinates: 66.49468,25.72882

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:04