A Sensory Journey into the Past – The Beautiful Church of Temmes

Step into history at the picturesque Temmes Church, one of Finland’s rare pillar-supported wooden churches. Open to visitors in the summer as a Roadside Church, its doors welcome guests from June 2 to July 31, 2025, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12:00 to 16:00. This is a unique opportunity to experience the church’s peaceful atmosphere and rich heritage.

Built in 1767, the timber-framed long church with a western tower was designed and constructed by Antti Kallenpoika Louet. With its traditional wooden shingle roof, the church is among the last in Ostrobothnia to use the classic log chest construction method and is one of only 12 surviving pillar churches in Finland. The three-part altarpiece was painted in 1847 by Carl Cristoffer Stadig. Outside, visitors will find a heroic memorial cross designed by sculptor Ilmari Wirkkala and, nestled in the shade of trees and surrounded by a stone wall, a serene, natural cemetery.

Greeting visitors at the front of the church is one of Finland’s largest wooden pauper statues (Finnish: vaivaisukko, "kirkon äijä"), crafted by Juho Kandelberg in 1858. Still serving its original purpose, it is the oldest operational pauper of its kind in the plains region of Finland. The church’s historic charm and exceptional acoustics also make it a stunning setting for family celebrations and concerts.

Temmes Church underwent an extensive restoration between 2023 and 2024. In the summer of 2023, structural repairs were made to the church’s gateway chamber. During the 2024 season, the wooden shingle roof was completely renewed, with approximately 14,000 new shingles installed and tarred. At the same time, roof structures were reinforced, attic insulation improved, and the church’s lighting, electrical systems, and digital infrastructure were modernized. The restored church was rededicated on October 31, 2024, in a festive service led by Bishop Jukka Keskitalo of the Diocese of Oulu.