Haapavesi Church and Bell Tower
Churches in Finland were pivotal in the realm of education, running many schools where religious education formed the cornerstone of the curriculum. This effort not only promoted literacy but also helped in fostering a strong Finnish national identity. Sermons and religious texts in Finnish played a crucial role in solidifying the language's use, especially significant during a period of growing national consciousness against Russian dominance.
Photo: The wooden church and bell tower in Haapavesi, built by Simon Jylkkä-Silvén in 1784. The Haapavesi Old Church, known for its cross-shaped footprint, was tragically destroyed by arson on May 17, 1981. The adjacent bell tower, built in 1751, survived the fire and remains standing in Haapavesi today.
Original Photograph
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Digitally Restored Photograph
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Haapavesi Church Floor Plan
The cruciform footprint of the old Haapavesi Church.
Haapavesi Bell Tower
The Old Haapavesi Church Bell Tower - all that remains of the old church (Source: Wikimedia)
Photo Information
Original photo courtesy of the Finnish Heritage Agency
Photographer: Ina Liljeqvist
Year: 1880s
Link to original photo here
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