Our parish
A parish is your local church community. Our parish is open to everyone, no matter where you come from or what church you belong to. You do not need to leave your own church to come to our services and events.
Become a member
There are about 3,5 million members in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. You are welcome to join!
Already a Christian?
If you are a Christian and have already been baptised, you can join our Church without being baptised again.
If you are a member of one of the following churches, you only need to make a simple written request to join:
If you belong to another Christian church, you can also join by applying at your local parish. All applications are private. The parish will help you with the process.
Please note: You cannot be a member of two churches at the same time – unless the other church is an Anglican Church of the Porvoo Communion.
Not baptised?
If you are not baptised and want to become a Christian, please contact your local parish. They will help you prepare for baptism. You must take adult confirmation classes before being baptised.
Baptism is the start of Christian life. First you become a Christian through baptism – after that, you can become a Church member.
Not Finnish citizen?
If you are not a Finnish citizen but live in Finland, you are welcome to join right away.
If you do not have Finnish citizenship or residence, you can join after joining parish activities for at least 3 months.
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Parish office
Parish Office
Parish office opening hours Mon–Wed 9:00–12:00 (telephone service open 9:00–12:00 and 13:00–15:00) Thu 12:00–15:00 (telephone service open 12:00–15:00) Fri telephone service open 9:00–12:00
You find more information about the meaning of the membership through this link to the Evangelical Lutheran church in Finland.
Why become a Church member?
We support you in the important moments of your life.
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Baptism for your child
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Marriage ceremony
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Comfort and help when someone dies
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Get help in difficult times
We help for example with money problems and personal struggles.
You can also:
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Take part in Church services and find peace in a busy life
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Take part in our activities
We organise events and activities for all age groups.
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Volunteer and help others
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Join music groups and choirs
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Be buried in the local Church cemetery
(even if you are not a member)
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If you move abroad, you stay a member but don’t need to pay church tax.
Contact information
Our parish has:
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A vicar (main pastor), who leads the church
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Other pastors, who teach and help people
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Deacons, who support people in difficult situations (like a social worker)
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Cantors, who lead the music and choirs
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Youth and children’s workers, who organise activities
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Office staff, property caretakers, and cemetery workers
The parish office (called kirkkoherranvirasto in Finnish) helps you with joining the church, baptism, marriage and bookings:
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Parish office
Parish Office
Parish office opening hours Mon–Wed 9:00–12:00 (telephone service open 9:00–12:00 and 13:00–15:00) Thu 12:00–15:00 (telephone service open 12:00–15:00) Fri telephone service open 9:00–12:00
The cemetery office assists with reservations for burial, funeral services, and memorial services, as well as other matters related to burials and graves:
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Burial and funeral service reservations
We are open Mon–Fri from 9:00 to 12:00
The Regional Register Office handles certificates, family history reports, genealogical research services, and checking if there are any legal obstacles before marriage:
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Regional Register Office
Parish Office
Contact the Regional Register Office if your matter concerns: Certificates and family history reports Genealogical research services Investigation of impediments to marriage Telephone service: Mon–Fri, 9:00–12:00
How is our parish run?
Parishes are democratic. Every four years, church members vote to choose a parish council which makes big decisions for the parish, such as how to use money and who gets hired. The parish board, chosen by the council, puts these decisions into action. It also helps select candidates for jobs in the parish.
Parish elections are held every four years in November. The next elections are in 2026. Church members aged 16 or older can vote, and members aged 18 or older can stand as a candidate (except parish workers in their own parish).
People vote for groups of candidates. The more votes a group gets, the more members it has on the parish council. The system is like elections in Finnish cities and the national parliament
