Kristuskyrkan

Christ Church
Christ Church
Kristuskyrkan
Helsingfors svenska metodistförsamling
transl. Christ Church; Finnish:Kristuskirkko
	60°10′33″N24°55′38″E/ 60.17583°N 24.92722°E
Location	Helsinki
Country	Finland
Denomination	Christianity,; Methodism
Website	Helsingfors svenska metodistförsamling
History
Consecrated	1928
Cult(s)present	christianity
Architecture
Functional status	active
Architect(s)	Atte W.Willberg
Style	Neo Gothic
Groundbreaking	19 September 1926
Completed	23 September 1928
Specifications
Capacity	220
Administration
Diocese	Helsinki
Parish	Helsinki - Etu-Töölö

Kristuskyrkan(Church of Christ) is a ChristianchurchinHelsinki,Finland,located in the central district ofEtu-Töölö(Swedish:Främre Tölö) at the corner between Fänrik Ståls Street and Apollonkatu Street. It was built at the beginning of the twentieth century and it is part of the Swedish Methodist Church of Finland.

Architecture and history[edit]

The architectural structure follows simple, austere vertical lines and is a good example of Finnishneo-Gothicstyle. It was built between 1926 and 1928 according to the designs and the directions of thearchitect Atte V. Willbergto whom the realization of the church was commissioned.^[1]^[2]^[3]The church was consecrated officially with its inaugural mass on 23.9.1928. The 59-meterbell towerof the church with itsspireis a distinctive feature of the skyline of the city.

Rose window[edit]

In line with the characteristic ofGothic architecture,a largerose windowis present on the church facade above the main entrance. The beautiful glass-work designed by the artistLennart Rafael Segerstråle^[4](1892–1975) is titled "Praise to Creation" (in SwedishSkåpelsens lovsång). In it the spiritual praise to God's creation is epitomized by the figure ofDavidplaying theharpsurrounded by floral and vegetable motifs. A circular staircase accessible from the porch's right side leads to the upperloggiainside the church, from which it is possible to admire at a closer distance the intricate design of the glazed window.

The gallery's fresco[edit]

Upon entering the church, passing thevestibule(vapenrum), and looking up to the ceiling of the gallery, it is possible to admire thefrescopainted byCarl August Henry Ericsson(1898–1933). The work symbolizes thetree of spiritual lifewhose branches extend all over the world. Around the central figure of the angel, twelvedovesare seen flying spreading their wings, crowned byaureoles(halos). They represent thetwelve apostleswith the divine message of salvation for the whole world.

Pipe organ[edit]

Located on the upper loggia overlooking thenave,thepipe organhas 15 stops. The instrument was manufactured in the city ofKangasalaby theKangasala Urkutehdasand designed by the Finnish organist Asko Rautioaho who designed the instrument in such a way that the stained glass window of the façade located behind the organ itself emerges from the profile of the musical instrument and is also visible from the inside of the church.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

^"Arkitekt Atte Willberg".Svenska Pressen(in Swedish). 15 February 1935. p. 2.Retrieved10 February2022.
^"Atte, Willberg, helmikuuta 1935 Arkkitehti no 2, s. 7".digi.kansalliskirjasto.fi(in Finnish).Retrieved10 February2022.
^"Ylioppilasmatrikkeli 1900 - 1907"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 16 October 2021.Retrieved10 February2022.
^"Lennart Segerstråle".Biografiskt lexikon för Finland.Retrieved1 January2019.

[1] "Arkitekt Atte Willberg".Svenska Pressen(in Swedish). 15 February 1935. p. 2.Retrieved10 February2022.

[2] "Atte, Willberg, helmikuuta 1935 Arkkitehti no 2, s. 7".digi.kansalliskirjasto.fi(in Finnish).Retrieved10 February2022.

[3] "Ylioppilasmatrikkeli 1900 - 1907"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 16 October 2021.Retrieved10 February2022.

[blf-4] "Lennart Segerstråle".Biografiskt lexikon för Finland.Retrieved1 January2019.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]