Renovations to the Espoo Cathedral Are Underway – Christmas Services Held in Other Churches and Chapels in Espoo

– It has taken a lot of time to build the protections, says Project Specialist Johanna Koskela.  

– Making protective cases for the valuable altar crucifix and the old altarpiece is challenging, as the protective cases cannot be attached to walls. The protective cases protect the items from moisture, cold and dust. The items are fragile and difficult to move, which is why a decision was made to keep them protected at the construction site, she adds.  

New radiators will be installed in the church. Electric piping has been installed in the pole lamps located in the front of the Cathedral to enable instalment of lighting cabling and to install cables for surveillance cameras. In addition, cabling work is carried out for electric car recharging stations. Renovation of the toilet facilities has begun at the Chapel. 

Due to a statement from the Finnish Heritage Agency, the renovation plans will be amended with regard to the roof covering. The roof covering will be restored in its original appearance in places where the metal sheets are broken. The roof covering will also be repainted according to the instructions issued by the Finnish Heritage Agency. Window and drain repairs can begin in spring 2026 when the weather conditions are slightly warmer. 

All repairs will be implemented according to the objectives of the environmental programme  

Changing the heating system from oil heating to district heating reduces carbon emissions. As for lighting, LED bulbs will be introduced. In the cathedral parking area, recharging points for electric cars will be installed. All changes and renovations are carried out in accordance with the objectives of the environmental programme. 

A working group led by Project Specialist Johanna Koskela has prepared the renovation plans for Espoo Cathedral. The working group includes representatives of the Espoo Cathedral Parish and Esbo Svenska Församling parish, in addition to the property services personnel. During the building permit phase, the plans have been presented to the Church Council and the Finnish Heritage Agency, which have issued and will issue statements on the visible alterations introduced by the project. The building’s history and old construction methods are taken into account in the renovation project. The long-term construction plan currently estimates costs at EUR 3.88 million. 

Due to the statement from the Finnish Heritage Agency, the project plan and work plans will be revised concerning the roof covering. The revised plans must be approved by the Parish council and the Parish board.  

Christmas services held at the Cathedral Parish Hall and all around Espoo 

Christmas services of Espoo Cathedral Parish are held, for example, at the Cathedral Parish Hall at the address Kirkkoranta 2. Parking for people with reduced mobility can be found in the parking area of the Parish Hall. The venue is located two hundred metres from the Espoo Cathedral. Cathedral Parish Hall - Church in Espoo  

The old Church Cemetary around the cathedral is also a popular place to bring candles and remember loved ones in silence. A Memorial site of those buried elsewhere is still located in front of the main entrance of the Cathedral on a stone wall. A Memorial site can also be found at the Kappeli Cemetery near the Parish Hall and the Chapel. The address of the Kappeli Cemetery is Pappilantie 12. 

The Christmas events of Esbo svenska församling Parish are organised around Espoo, as in previous years. Some of the events will be held at the Cathedral Parish Hall. 

You can find a list of Christmastime events online in Finnish at  jouluespoossa.fi and in Swedish at  Jul - Esbo församlingar and in English at espoochristmas.fi