A renovation and expansion project completed this year added a new layer of history to Lieto’s medieval church.

Built from grey rock, the original nave has a medieval sacristy and arms room but was extended on its east end in 1902 with a hexagonal “little church” built from red brick. A new extension, “Leipähuone” (Bread room), was constructed in the recently completed renovation, which took almost four years (2021 to 2024).

Arkkitehtitoimisto NOAN provided the architectural designs and also served as the project’s chief designer. Repairs began in the church interior before proceeding to the façades and roofs and finally the construction of the new extension.

Once the new organ was in place in April 2024, the renovation was complete.

Layout change

The renovation introduced a notable change to the layout, moving the altar to the centre of the church with the congregation seated around it. The fixed benches of the 1970s were replaced with moveable chairs, allowing the church to vary seating arrangements according to its needs. The most significant change to improve flexibility and accessibility was the unification of all floor surfaces onto one common level in all public spaces.

In addition, the neo-Gothic, hexagonal “little church” built in 1902 was separated from the nave by a glass wall, and the choir was converted into a parish hall connected to the new Leipähuone with a glazed hallway. All entrances to the church are now accessible.

An all-inclusive approach

The renovation design was extremely thorough. Built by hand by professional carpenters, the solid oak altar table, pulpit, kneeling rails, choir stools, and chairs were designed to form a cohesive whole together with the lamps, the hand-blown baptismal font, door/drawer handles, hangings, and other details.

A new organ, which churchgoers actually walk through on their way from the main entrance to the nave, completes the interior. Although the renovation introduced significant changes to the church, the guiding principle for both the design and the actual work was to spot repair damaged parts, replacing entire sections only when absolutely necessary. All work was conducted in close cooperation with the Finnish Heritage Agency.

Yesterday meets today

The wooden surfaces in the interior create a pleasant contrast with the medieval stone walls and vaults, allowing the different periods of the church’s history to join hands across the centuries. The interplay between the old and new continues in the construction methods: traditional conservation and craft methods safeguard the cultural heritage, while modern technologies supported the design work and construction. The organic shapes of the altar table and baptismal altar combine with partially CNC-machined furniture to connect traditional woodworking to the precision of modern technology.

Materials that stand the test of time

The design takes into account the expected 200-year lifespan of the materials and the beautiful patina they will acquire over this period. All movable and fixed furniture is made of solid oak treated with matte lacquer, while the plinths and exterior steps are granite. The extension is built from honeycomb blocks and topped by a copper roof with wood fibre insulation. Like the existing structures, all the new structures allow water vapour to pass through.

While the structures and solutions are designed to be permanent, the designers expect the church’s lifespan to continue for hundreds of years more. For this reason, the expansion allows eventual disassembly without damaging the original medieval structures, as do the new equipment and their attachments in the nave.

A history of change

Buildings of historical significance have been fiercely protected by the Finnish authorities since Finland became independent. Any changes must be subtle, even if dramatic improvements are necessary. Lieto’s new expansion respects the church’s cultural heritage, moving modern functions to the new section to allow the medieval nave to serve its historical purpose unchanged.

Financial and operational changes are forcing the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland to re-examine how church premises are used. Discovering and enabling potential new uses for church premises requires a bold approach that simultaneously ensures that the inevitable changes do not dismantle our architectural heritage. Before work began, the renovation and expansion of Lieto’s church was preceded by several years of dialogue between its users and the decision-makers and authorities. This successful project stands as an important example that can guide future projects to ensure they preserve our cultural heritage.

Book tip for readers interested in wooden churches: Puukirkkojen Suomi, Arto Kuorikoski, 2022. (Wooden churches of Finland)