The Finnish Church in London is a religious, cultural and social meeting place for all the Finns who live in Great Britain and Ireland (either permanently or temporarily), as well as for their friends and family.
The Finnish Church in London is also open to all the friends of Finland. The church is here to help all those who find themselves in trouble – even when the trouble is the lack of Finnish black rye bread, or just the need to relax in a Finnish sauna! We are here for everyone.
The Finnish Seamen’s Mission ”co-operates with the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Finland, and observes its confessional Christian, social, cultural and diaconic work among seafarers and Finns living abroad, and carries out international Christian work at Finnish ports.”
History
Location
Church Services
Social Services
Accommodation
Other Facilities at the Church
Sauna
Membership and Donation
Christmas and Easter Fairs
History
The Finnish Seamen’s Mission – Suomen Merimieskirkko ry – was established in 1875. It was at this time that there was a clear need to help Finns who were experiencing problems during their stay abroad – mostly, therefore, seafarers and immigrants.
The first person sent abroad by the Seamen’s Mission was the port chaplain Elis Bergroth, who was posted to the English ports of Grimsby and Hull in 1880. However, London’s position was the most demanding workwise, and Bergroth was soon transferred here in 1882. This was the start of the London operation, which continues to this day.
During the history of Finnish Church in London, countless people have visited or worked at the church – many people have left their mark on the church in London through their lifelong contributions. The church is full of stories about people getting help, meeting long lost friends and experiencing the miraculous effects of sauna.
New stories are written every day. The Finnish church is an important meeting place for Finns living in the British Isles. People meet in Christian, cultural and social contexts at the church, or in activities organized by the church. The church works with people permanently living in the UK and Ireland, as well as among seamen, au pairs, students and tourists. Work takes place all over the British Isles.
The present Church building dates from 1958, and is the third Finnish church in London. The architect of the Church, Cyrill Mardall-Sjöström, had already designed the new church building before the war broke out. The original design was to be built on a plot in Southwark Park, but this plan had to be dropped, and the new site here was found. The church was consecrated and opened in 1958. Large renovations were carried out in 2005 and the church was then reopened in 2006.
Location
The Finnish Church in London is located in Rotherhithe, southeast London. Church lies next to St. Olav’s Square –roundabout. The exact address is 33 Albion St, London SE16 7HZ.
By Bus
Bus number 188 from Russell Square to North Greenwich station is the best option if you are coming from central London. Bus number 47 from Liverpool Street Station to Lewisham is also a good choice. Other options are buses 1, C10, P12, 199, 225 and 381. All of these buses stop at Canada Water station.
By Tube
The closest tube stations to the Church are Canada Water and Bermondsey. Both are about half a mile from the church, and both are on the Jubilee line of the underground.
Rotherhithe Station is an overground station, and is about 300 yards from the Church.
By Car
There is some parking near the church but it is extremely limited. You can find some parking slots on Albion St, but you need to be careful. Cars on permit holders slots get clamped and towed away quite easily.
Church Services
There are thousands of services held in London every Sunday – only one is held mainly in Finnish.
Services at the Finnish Church
Mass is held on the first Sunday of each month at 11 am. It is conducted mainly in Finnish, with a Sunday school being held at the same time. Then, after the Mass, coffee is served and Sunday lunch is available.
Services are also held on church feast days such as Christmas and Easter. You can find the exact dates and times of our services from the calendar.
Services are conducted by our Church staff, with the help of volunteers. If you want to come and join us in planning or conducting the service, please contact the Reverend.
Sunday School
Sunday school takes place during mass on the first Sunday of every month. At the Sunday school children can get to know Christian values and traditions.
Regional Services
In various parts of the British Isles some 20 services are held locally every year. Local services are a way for local Finns and their friends to get together. After the service coffee is served, and snacks are available on a potluck basis! The church shop (full of Finnish treats!), travels to regional services.
Regional services also offer an opportunity for organising baptisms and weddings, home calls or pastoral counselling.
Social Services
The objective of our social and welfare work is to enhance the well-being of the Finns living in Britain or Ireland. We also want to help those visiting the countries by offering them advice and service in their own language.
This work consists mainly of meetings and discussions at the church, and forming interest groups. The work also helps through visiting those in need at home, hospital and other places where care is needed.
Our social and welfare work is pro-active, and we put great emphasis on trying to prevent crisis situations arising – you can analyse and discuss problems in your life with the church workers. The preventive work consists largely of advice, guidance and information.
The contact person of our social work is Welfare Officer Hanna Lindholm.
Friendship Network
The members of friendship network are Finns pledged to confidentiality, who have lived in the country for a considerable time.
- You can contact anyone in the friendship network when you want somebody to listen to you, or to have a discussion.
- They can also give you information of local services that are available and of activities among local Finns, etc.
- The activities of friendship network are conducted on a voluntary basis.
- The friendship network has over 100 members in different parts of the country.
- The members of the friendship network have a training session every year.
- Please be aware, though, that the members of the friendship network do NOT assist in getting accommodation or work, lend money, or give free help in their professional capacity.
- The friendship network is run by the Finnish Church in London and Finn-Guild (the Finnish organisation in Great Britain.)
- The Network has a Management Group consisting of social and therapy professionals.
Welfare Officer Hanna Lindholm is the person you should contact with regards to the Friendship Network. Through them you can get in touch with your nearest friendship network representative, and have information of their activities.
Pastoral Care
The staff members of the church are at your disposal whenever you wish to have confidential discussions. We offer support in joy and sorrow. Staff are bound by a pledge of secrecy and whatever you say is in complete confidence. You can contact us by phone and e-mail or you can just come to the Church. Pastoral care is fundamental part of Church’s work and therefore free of charge.
The pastoral meetings are based on confidential discussions between the church official and the person in question, and they can cover any aspect of life. They may also include a confession and absolution followed by a prayer and a blessing.
Port Chaplaincy
Ship visits are part of the life of the Finnish Church in London. Please contact Rector if you would like to organise a visit to your ship.
Accommodation
Everybody is welcome to stay with us – you do not have to be Finnish or a member of our church. Please visit our Hostelworld site to make a booking.
From December 2013 all of our rooms are considered dormitories and the beds are booked separately. If you wish to book a whole room, please contact the church.
We have four rooms in our hostel. Two of these are six-bed dormitories with shared bathroom facilities. There are also two four-bed ensuite dormitories, one of which is reserved for female travellers only.
The facilities include a small kitchen with a fridge, a micro oven and a kettle.
The charges are £35 per person per night in the 4-bed ensuite rooms and £29 per person per night in the 6-bed dormitories. There is a special late bird fare for people booking by phone no earlier than a week before arrival, which is £20 per person per night in a 6-bed dormitory.
The accommodation includes sheets, breakfast (at 8.30–9.30am) and the use of the sauna during the communal sauna hours.
Those using the accommodation must arrive at the Church during the opening hours of the cafeteria (Tue – Fri at 2pm – 9 pm, Sat at 10 am – 9pm and Sun at 10am – 8pm). Payment for the accommodation must be made upon arrival for the whole period. The key will be handed over against a deposit of £20 or a passport. The key must be returned and the room vacated by 11am on the day of departure.
If the time of arrival falls on a Monday, or outside the opening hours of the cafeteria, or if the departure is before 8 am, special arrangements must be made with the staff.
You can book by calling us at (+44) 02072374668 or with our Hostelworld site. If you are travelling with a group (10+) please contact service manager Mervi Mattila (mervi.mattila@merimieskirkko.fi) for a quote.
Other Facilities at the Church
Cafeteria
The heart of the Finnish Church in London is the cafeteria. It is a communal meeting place as well as a place to find out about various Finnish activites and events.
You can enjoy the best cinnamon buns and Karelian pies in town with your coffee or tea! You may also buy cafeteria items to take away.
In addition, during the weekends (and by order), you can enjoy tasty Finnish home cooking.
The cafeteria offers various services:
- Finnish newspapers and magazines
- Free Wi-Fi connection
- The church library has books in Finnish, and in foreign language translations to be taken home. These include books for children and young people!
- A play area for toddlers.
The Finnish Shop
Our Finnish Shop is next to the cafeteria. There you will find the largest selection of Finnish food and delicacies in London.
These include an assortment of Finnish sweets, chocolate, mustard, rye bread, baking ingredients, porridge flakes and coffee. We also sell other Finnish favourites and gift items.
The church can be used as a venue for private functions.
Membership and Donation
The Finnish Church in London does ecclesiastical work among Finns and their friends in the British Isles. The Church is mainly a self-sufficient organization, so we need the support of our friends to ensure the continuance of our work.
Donations
All donations are very much appreciated. You can support the Church in various ways:
Take part in our events and enjoying a cup coffee with a cinnamon bun in our Cafeteria
Become a supporting member of our Church. There is more information about membership below.
Give your donation with debit or card here.
Give a donation directly to our bank accounts:
The Finnish Church in London, Danske Bank, Sort Code: 30 12 81, Account Number: 22028537 (UK). IBAN GB83DABA30128122028537. SWIFT-BIC: DABAGB2L.
Nordea Helsinki, Account Number IBAN FI8517453000102121 (Finland). BIC NDEAFIHH.
Donations can also be made in cash, or through a cheque at the Church itself. This can be done during regional services, or can be dropped in to the reception area at any other time. (Please note that cheques should be made out to The Finnish Church in London)
You can also send donations by post :
The Finnish Church in London, 33 Albion Street, GB-London, SE16 7HZ.
Membership
To become a supporting member you need to complete the membership form (found either in Horisontti-magazine, or at reception in the Church itself) and pay a £50 Membership Fee. This can be done in one of three ways:
- by paying at reception
- by sending a cheque to the church
- by paying via our Charity Checkout service
As a member you are accepting a shared responsibility for the Church activities. You will gain benefits from your membership, and above all, you will safeguard the future of the Seamen’s Mission.
In addition to the knowledge that your support is helping the survival of the Finnish Church here in London, some other membership benefits are:
3 % discount to several services (including shop and cafeteria) and a 10 % discount for the use of the sauna at the Church.
The Finnish Seamen’s Mission’s flight and sea crossing offers.
Reductions in overnight facilities at our churches in Hamburg and London.
Help us to help others!
Christmas and Easter Fairs
Finnish Church in London organizes amazing fairs twice a year: before Christmas and before Easter. There will also be a Scandinavian Street Market at Albion Street (between the Finnish Church and the Norwegian Church) during the weekends.
During the fairs Finnish Church provides live music, Finnish treats from cafeteria and grill and a huge variety of Finnish food and gifts including
– Finnish food: rye bread, pea soup, mustard, cloudberry jam, coffee etc.
– Finnish sweets: Fazer chocolate (the best in the world!), salt liquorice etc.
– Finnish gifts: reindeer hides, Moomin -products, Iittala, Arabia and Pentik
Next Scandinavian Street Market (Midsummer Market) will be Sat 24th June 2017 at Albion Street. Next fair will be the Christmas fair 22.-26.11.2017.
What Time Out says about our Christmas Fair:
”You can’t get any Christmassier than a Finnish market, and the annual one held in and around this beautiful modern church in a Rotherhithe cul-de-sac is a delight. Products on sale range from classic Finnish design pieces to more affordable Moomin toys, Christmas cards and of course food – including imported rye breads, gravadlax, Fazer chocolates and strange roundels of squeaky cheese (best served with cloudberry jam).”
Southbank Centre Food Market
You may also find our exotic food from Southbank Centre Food Markets celebrating the Nordic Matters Festival 2017 11.-13.5. and 9.-11.6.