Pihlajavesi Old Church

Pihlajavesi Old Church (Finnish: Pihlajaveden vanha kirkko), also known as Pihlajavesi Wilderness Church (Finnish: Pihlajaveden erämaakirkko), is a Lutheran church in the town of Pihlajavesi, in Central Finland. It is called 'Wilderness Church', because it is situated in a forest outside the main populated areas.[1][2]

Pihlajavesi Old Church
Pihlajavesi Wilderness Church
Finnish: Pihlajaveden vanha kirkko (Pihlajaveden erämaakirkko)
Church pictured in 2007
62.3633°N 24.3583°E / 62.3633; 24.3583
LocationPihlajavesi, Keuruu
CountryFinland
DenominationLutheran
History
StatusParish church
Consecrated1787
Architecture
Functional statusSeasonal use
Architect(s)Matti Åkerblom
Architectural typeFinnish traditional
Years built1780 — c. 1783
Specifications
Capacity300[1]
Number of spires1
MaterialsTimber
Administration
DioceseDiocese of Lapua
ParishKeuruu Parish

Background

Pihlajavesi formed part of the large Ruovesi parish, and travel to the nearest church was difficult due to lack of roads in the area; therefore the populace petitioned the Archdiocese of Turku cathedral chapter for a permission to build their own local chapel and cemetery.[2][3] The request was granted, but during the design and construction phase what was originally intended as a small prayer room gradually grew into a full-blown church, which the permission did not allow. The Diocese complained and admonished the Kirkkoherra (Vicar) of Keuruu over this unlicensed development, initially refusing to sanction its use, but allowed the building to remain and eventually consecrated it as a church in 1787.[3][1]

When a new, larger and more modern church was built in Pihlajavesi in 1870, the old church was abandoned and fell into such disrepair that it was scheduled for demolition.[1] It was, however, rediscovered and renovated in the 1920s, followed by a replacement roof installed in 1966.[3]

The church is not heated, and therefore mostly used during the summer months, when it is popular as a wedding church and a venue for small-scale concerts and events.[3]

Architecture

The church was designed and built 1780—1783 by a notable church builder of the time, Matti Åkerblom, who also built the Ruovesi Church, the main church of the then parish.[3]

It is of timber construction, with the massive logs unclad both on the exterior and interior sides. There is an integral bell tower under a wood shingle roof, at the western end of the building, above the entrance. The church is a notable example of 18th-century Finnish church design, and of the 'long church' (pitkäkirkko) style typical to parts of the southern and western Finland.[1] It is also revealing of timber construction methods of the time, especially thanks to the unlined wall and ceiling structures.[3]

The church and its surrounding milieu have been designated and protected by the Finnish Heritage Agency as a nationally important built cultural environment (Valtakunnallisesti merkittävä rakennettu kulttuuriympäristö).[3]

Somewhat unusually, the church has never had an altarpiece or housed any other church art.[2]

Interior views
  • Interior view along aisle
    Aisle, viewed from the entrance towards the altar
  • Altar
    Altar
  • Pulpit
    Pulpit

References
  1. "Pihlajaveden vanha kirkko". KeuruunSeurakunta.fi (in Finnish). Keuruu Parish. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  2. "Pihlajaveden vanha erämaakirkko". Keuruu.fi (in Finnish). City of Keuruu. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  3. "Pihlajaveden vanha kirkko". RKY.fi (in Finnish). Finnish Heritage Agency. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
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