Teisko Church
Teisko Church is a historic wooden church completed in the late 18th century on the shore of Lake Kirkkojärvi. Its cruciform architecture, old church art and surrounding cemetery form a distinctive traditional cultural landscape.
Teiskon kirkkotie 114, 34260 Terälahti
Open during scheduled activities.
050 323 6776
church caretaker
Max 700 people
Accessibility
- Accessible entrance: Via the main entrance.
- Accessible toilet: Located beneath the gallery.
History and architecture
Teisko Church is one of master church builder Matti Åkerblom’s most significant works in present-day Tampere. It is the third church to have served Teisko Parish. The building was completed in 1788, but because the previous church was in poor condition, it was consecrated for use in August 1787. The belfry was completed ten years later.
The wooden church has a cruciform plan with chamfered inner corners. Its present appearance has been shaped particularly by alterations to the windows in 1842 and renovations to the interior in 1906.
The church stands on the shore of Lake Kirkkojärvi, surrounded by a cemetery. Together, the church and its surroundings form a well-preserved whole: a striking example of vernacular architecture within a traditional Finnish cultural landscape.
When Teisko joined the Tampere Evangelical Lutheran Parishes in 1972, Tampere’s predominantly urban parish structure was joined by a traditional rural parish. Today, Teisko is part of Messukylä Parish.
Later additions
A small chapel for church ceremonies was built next to the sacristy during the major renovation of 1960. Both the church and the belfry have wooden shingle roofs.
In the early 20th century, a sun cross was added above the crossing. Smaller ring crosses were added to the outer ends of each arm of the church.
New church bells were acquired from the Netherlands in 1981. The same year, the organ dating from 1884 was replaced by a mechanical organ built by Veikko Virtanen Organ Builders of Espoo. The organ has 20 stops.
Paintings
The church contains a pulpit dating from the mid-17th century, originally from the previous church in Teisko.
The depictions of the Evangelists on the pulpit railing were painted by Pehr Sundberg. Gabriel Sveidel painted The Adoration of the Shepherds and The Ascension, which hang on either side of the altarpiece, as well as The Crucified Christ on the wall of the sacristy.
Altarpiece
The altarpiece The Saviour in Gethsemane, an oil painting on canvas, was painted by Pehr Sundberg in 1801–1802. The work originally consisted of two parts: the upper section depicts the Saviour in Gethsemane and the lower section the Last Supper. The lower section is now displayed on the wall of the sacristy.
Longcase clock and donation figure
The church displays a longcase clock that was later donated back to the church. Its mechanism and clock face were made by Efraim Könni of Ilmajoki. The clock was sold at auction in the 1840s to the Kulkkila farm and was later returned to the church.
A traditional donation figure (vaivaisukko) typical of the period is preserved on the exterior wall of the church. In addition to old 19th-century chasubles, new liturgical textiles have been acquired in recent decades to supplement the church’s collection in the liturgical colours.