KemiChurch

This is The Lutheran Church of Kemi. It locates right in the town center. It usually is photographed on the wintertime. Yes, it is pink. It is pink according to the original outfit and design by architect Josef Stenbäck in 1902. It was paint by grey at some time but according to local people's wish the pink was returned at early 2000's.

It is Tiekirkko. It literally means it is Road Church. Which means all around Finland there are churches open on summer season and providing free moments for a rest, silence and break during your holiday journey. You can check out the map of the locations here.

Each Road Church has its own opening hours and personal style to operate. No matter your religion or non-religion you are free to go. BUT if you notice there are cars around the church, don't go in. Churches are public places but when there is a personal occasion like weddings or funerals it is not compliment to go. People in Finland consider it very rude. If you are not sure are they tourists' cars or local ones, just go to listen to the door, perhaps peek in very carefully. If there is wedding or funerals going on you, can see flowers. If not, it is a normal service and then it is ok to go. (Usually there is a note about the personal service by the front door.)

In Kemi the local travel guides represent the church for public -for free- on summer season daily from Monday to Friday, but also on the Snow Castle season on Saturdays. I have blogged previously about the churches and monasteries. I always recommend people to see local churches if they visit Finland. They are free places to see architecture which usually has been destroyed by the wars or fires all over Finland. At the local churches you can see arts and crafts from local and nation wide famous artists and unknown stars. My great father-in-law participated on the Kemi Church painting project on his life time. His profession was master painter. 

Kemi Church is accessible also by a wheelchair. Of course the snow and ice may cause troubles during the winter season.

Also the church yard is accessible by a wheel chair. When visiting a church I always visit the church yard too. It tells a lot about the local life and people.

At Kemi Church Yard it is allowed to step off the pavements. It usually is -if not you, can see huge signs. At Kemi Church Yard you can find a monument made for to remember all those children people have wanted but not been possible keep. It means also for all those children that have been born too early and their parents have no grave to mourn. If this feels close to you it is ok to place a candle, small stone, feather or flowers by the monument. No matter are you the mother or father. 💕

In Finland, if the church has been on the public use during the wars, you can find the Fallen Memorial Graveyard on the church yard, even if the common graveyard would be somewhere else. They buried local fallen soldiers close to the church.

Usually there is also Fallen memorial monument or few. And a monument with the names of the local fallen soldiers that have been buried somewhere else during the wars.

This Praying Soldier statue is made by the sculptor Evert Porila in 1924. It is made to remembrance of White Finland soldiers fallen in the Finnish Civil War 1918. The White ones wanted to get rid of Russian occupation, control and influence. Finland independence day is 6.12.1917 when we got free from Russia but it caused a civil war that lasted for 3 months starting from January 1918. Finland Civil war caused for about 33 526 deaths (5338 White and 28 188 Red ones). Notice the shoes of the soldier. They are designed in that way because of skiing. You need to lift up the toe part to get your shoes to stay attached to old fashion skies.

When visiting Kemi Church recently I realized I have never been there on the summer time! I was amazed by all the light and details the daylight exposed! I think you should visit it on the winter and summer season to get the expression of the light.

At Kemi Church  there is one of Finland's for about 200 Votive Ships. Votive Ships usually locate coastal and archipelago area churches. They are donated to bless the sailors and dangerous sea journeys. They may be donated also by some promise people have made to survive in a sea storm etc. Kemi Votive ship is donated by a local person who built it but wants to stay anonymous. The only rule was that at every Sunday service the priest must bless the seamen.