Helsinki Old Church

Helsinki Old Church is a wooden Neoclassical building with simple Doric columns, gables, and a bell tower located in the Old Church Park. Its plain yet traditional design forms the visual centerpiece of this green space in the city center.

Designed by architect Carl Ludvig Engel and completed in 1826, this structure was initially intended as a temporary replacement during Helsinki Cathedral construction. What began as a provisional solution became a permanent fixture in the city.

The park surrounding the church holds graves of over 1000 people from the 1710 plague outbreak, which locals call 'Plague Park'. This space blends sacred purpose with remembrance of a tragic chapter in the city's past.

The church provides wheelchair access throughout the building and welcomes visitors on designated days. The site is easy to reach and offers a peaceful spot for a walk through the central park.

The original pulpit from the demolished Ulrika Eleonora Church is the only surviving piece of furniture moved to this location in 1826. This object connects two separate religious spaces across the city's timeline.

Location: Helsinki

Inception: December 17, 1826

Architects: Carl Ludvig Engel

Official opening: December 17, 1826

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

Elevation above the sea: 15 m

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Made from material: wood

Part of: Esplanadi-Bulevardi, Vanha kirkko

Website: https://helsinginseurakunnat.fi/vanhakirkko.html.stx

GPS coordinates: 60.16641,24.93930

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:02