Äänekosken kirkko

A bright church of modern ecclesiastical architecture, with an extension housing the parish centre.

Äänekosken kirkko, built of red brick, wood and glass, was designed by architect Erkki Kantonen. It was erected on the site of the wooden church destroyed by fire in 1968. The light-filled building represents the modern church architecture of its time; it opened in 1973.

From the old church, the pulpit, the church bells, three granite slabs in the yard, and stained-glass windows by artist Urho Lehtinen on the side wall of the sanctuary have been preserved. Their themes depict New Testament stories: Christ blessing the five loaves and two fishes, and Christ opening the eyes of the blind.

The church has been renovated, for example in 1987 when the wall-to-wall carpeting was removed. In 2004 the interior ceiling was wood-paneled, the 30-year-old interior light fixtures were renewed, and the cross on the bell tower was illuminated.

In spring 2012, a major renovation of the church began and construction of the parish centre adjacent to the church started. The church renovation and new construction were designed by architect Pekka Paavola. The parish centre was inaugurated in May 2013. As its name suggests, the parish centre includes offices for all areas of work, the parish office, diaconia offices, day-club rooms, youth spaces, a kitchen and parish halls, as well as the sanctuary. During the renovation, the church’s seating capacity dropped from 650 to the current 370.