Martin's Church
Encyclopedia
Martin's Church in Turku
, Finland
is the main church of Martin's parish, founded in 1921. The church was consecrated on the 450th anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther
, on November 12, 1933. he designers of the church were the architects Totti Sora and Gunnar Wahlroos. The church represents architechtual functionalism
. Martin's church is a long church with three aisles with very narrow side aisles. The church has a functional and singular practicality of its own. The barrel-vaulting of the roof is one of the most outstanding features of the church. The altar, the pulpit, and the roof are notable features of architect Sora's work. On the top of the pulpit, the architect has placed a crown. The same theme is featured as a decoration to the hymn list table. The architects have clearly thought of the church as a royal court chamber and for this reason the basic construction is reminiscent of a basilica. The artist Aarre Aaltonen has made five decorative sculptures for the pulpit.
. Vehmas and Holvi painted the pictures on the arches in the nave. The upper one depicts the eye of God
. On the arches there are symbolic pictures of the apostles and of a green clothed angel with a chalice
in his hand. On the balcony of the organ gallery, the artists painted an advent scene. Several years later, Einari Vehmas painted the sacristy
window paintings showing scenes of the Saviour with a child on his arm, Bishop Henry, and Martin Luther
.
The altar cloth was designed by Greta Skogster, the artist, and was presented to the church as a gift at the consecration ceremony by the parish sewing circle. The dominant feature of the altar cloth is pelicans: pelicans feeding their young with their own blood. This motif has been regarded as symbolic of the love of Christ. The church has received a number of gifts from both private people and societies. The seven branch silver candelabrum on the altar is a gift from Martin's church choir and was made by a member of the choir, silversmith Emil Sivonen.
Turku
Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
is the main church of Martin's parish, founded in 1921. The church was consecrated on the 450th anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
, on November 12, 1933. he designers of the church were the architects Totti Sora and Gunnar Wahlroos. The church represents architechtual functionalism
Functionalism (architecture)
Functionalism, in architecture, is the principle that architects should design a building based on the purpose of that building. This statement is less self-evident than it first appears, and is a matter of confusion and controversy within the profession, particularly in regard to modern...
. Martin's church is a long church with three aisles with very narrow side aisles. The church has a functional and singular practicality of its own. The barrel-vaulting of the roof is one of the most outstanding features of the church. The altar, the pulpit, and the roof are notable features of architect Sora's work. On the top of the pulpit, the architect has placed a crown. The same theme is featured as a decoration to the hymn list table. The architects have clearly thought of the church as a royal court chamber and for this reason the basic construction is reminiscent of a basilica. The artist Aarre Aaltonen has made five decorative sculptures for the pulpit.
Art works
Einari Wehmas and Karl Ingenius, artists from Turku, won the competition that was arranged for a work of art to decorate the altar wall. Their work is the most notable detail of the church. The whole altar wall is covered with an "al secco" painting of Jesus Christ nailed to the cross with friends and officials at Golgatha. This massive work is 15 metres (49.2 ft) high and 9.5 metres (31.2 ft) in breadth. At the time of painting this was the largest painting of its type in ScandinaviaScandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
. Vehmas and Holvi painted the pictures on the arches in the nave. The upper one depicts the eye of God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
. On the arches there are symbolic pictures of the apostles and of a green clothed angel with a chalice
Chalice (cup)
A chalice is a goblet or footed cup intended to hold a drink. In general religious terms, it is intended for drinking during a ceremony.-Christian:...
in his hand. On the balcony of the organ gallery, the artists painted an advent scene. Several years later, Einari Vehmas painted the sacristy
Sacristy
A sacristy is a room for keeping vestments and other church furnishings, sacred vessels, and parish records.The sacristy is usually located inside the church, but in some cases it is an annex or separate building...
window paintings showing scenes of the Saviour with a child on his arm, Bishop Henry, and Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
.
The altar cloth was designed by Greta Skogster, the artist, and was presented to the church as a gift at the consecration ceremony by the parish sewing circle. The dominant feature of the altar cloth is pelicans: pelicans feeding their young with their own blood. This motif has been regarded as symbolic of the love of Christ. The church has received a number of gifts from both private people and societies. The seven branch silver candelabrum on the altar is a gift from Martin's church choir and was made by a member of the choir, silversmith Emil Sivonen.
Organ
The church was in operation for a number of years unfinished, without an organ, church bells, or a clock in the spire. This was due to insufficient funds. Finally the harmonium that was installed in 1936 gave place to an organ. The 50-pipe organ is of the so-called romantic Orchestra organ type. The installation was desingned by Sulo Muurikoski, parish organist for a long time. The electrification of the organ was done in 1981 by the organ builder Veikko Virtanen company. The spire got its clock in 1952, and chimes in 1955. The casting of the bells was done by the Friis Brothers bell foundry.Renovation
Repairs and improvements to the church have been undertaken in several phases. Most recently, in 1980–81, the exterior and interior surfaces were repaired and repainted, some of the pews at the back of the church were removed, the tower chapel was furnished, and entrances for the disabled were built. In 1987, the Independence celebration year of Finland, the members of the parish council presented the church with a remembrance plaque in honour of the members of the congregation who were killed in the 1939–44 war. The memorial tablet honours 181 names.See also
- TurkuTurkuTurku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland...
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of FinlandEvangelical Lutheran Church of FinlandThe Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is the national church of Finland. The church professes the Lutheran branch of Christianity, and is a member of the Porvoo Communion....
- Turku Cathedral
- IV District, TurkuIV District, TurkuThe IV District, also known as Martti , is one of the central districts of Turku, Finland. It is located on the east side of the river Aura, between Tervahovinkatu in the west and Betaniankatu and Martinkatu in the east...