The Church of St. Michael

Keminmaa, Finland

Keminmaa old church is northest medieval church in Finland (built in 1520-1553) and one of the latest ones built before Reformation.

The paintings on the ceiling depict the sufferings of Christ; they date from 1650. The pictures of saints on the walls, the baptismal font and the holy-water font date from the Catholic times. The bier and stocks located in the church porch as well as the black pew standing inside the church itself remind us of the old parish tradition.

The fame of the Old Church of the Parish of Keminmaa is mostly based on the Lutheran priest, Nikolaus Rungius. He was the vicar of Kemi church during the Thirty Years War. Nikolaus Rungius died in 1629 and he was buried under the church in the tradition of the times.

Address

Rovaniementie 126-140, Keminmaa, Finland

See all sites in Keminmaa

Details

Founded: 1520-1553
Category: Religious sites in Finland
Historical period: Middle Ages (Finland)

More Information

members.virtualtourist.com
keminmaa.seurakunta.net

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Keminmaa New Church (0,2 km)

Kemi Church (9 km)
Tornio Church (18,7 km)
Alatornio Church (17,8 km)
Simo Church (23,8 km)
Tervola Old Church (32,2 km)
Tervola Church (32,2 km)

User Reviews

Eetu Lämsä (4 years ago)
Too old and stony. 4G didn't work. I won't visit again.

Pop Pani (4 years ago)
Little and Amazing 400 year old church

joulupukin kaljamasu (5 years ago)
Miu

Marko M (6 years ago)
Suomen pohjoisin keskiaikainen kivikirkko, jonka tarina on varsin mielenkiintoinen. Mielenkiintoisin tarina liittyy luterilaiseen pappiin, Nikolaus Rungiukseen, joka toimi 30-vuotisen sodan aikana Kemin kirkkoherrana. Nikolaus Rungius kuoli vuonna 1629 ja hänet haudattiin kirkon kuoriin lattian alle, niin kuin monet muutkin hänen aikalaisensa. Rungiuksen lahoamaton ruumis on edelleenkin nähtävänä kirkon tiloissa. Rungiuksen tiedetään sanoneen: "Jos minun sanani eivät ole tosia, niin ruumiini mätänee, mutta jos ne ovat tosia, niin se ei mätäne." Jokainen voi itse käydä toteamassa, miten on.

Kurssit PRUK (6 years ago)

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historical Gems of Costa Verde

Historic Site of the week

Kakesbeck Castle

Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.

The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.