Petäjävesi Old Church

Petäjävesi Old Church is an incredible heritage landmark and example of a Lutheran church built of logs.

It is a typical example of an architectural tradition unique in Finland.

It was built in 1763-1764, and the old church was under the instruction of master builder Jaakko Klemetinpoika Leppänen and had to act as a village church in the parish of Jämsä; the dedication did not, however, take place until 1778.

After 1879 Petäjävesi Old Church didn’t play a role in a church. A new church was constructed. Nowadays the Old Church at Petäjävesi is used for worship on summer Sundays and is one of Finland’s most well-loved churches for weddings.

Petäjävesi Old Church became a member of Unesco World Heritage List in 1994.