The Finnish Church in London

Contact details for the Church Staff

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.

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.

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.

Sauna

The best Finnish sauna in London – welcome to have some löyly!

PLEASE NOTE: our sauna is popular and quite small and can accommodate 7 people at a time. If you want to be sure to get to public löyly, it is worthwhile to come on time and be prepared to take turns with other sauna guests. We operate on first-come-first-served basis. Please remember: if it gets too tight for you, you can always book a private sauna (instructions below). Thank you for your consideration to other sauna guest!

Private sauna

Please call for enquiries 0207237 4668 or via email kitchen@merimieskirkko.fi and make your booking.
Sauna is usually available for private bookings

• Tue – Fri 14-17.30
• Sat 1o-17
• Sun 10-16

Prices:

• £20/hour/2 person
• additional £6/hour/person

Children under 4 (accompanied with parents) free of charge.

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 at reception in the Church itself) and pay a £50 Membership Fee ( + £15  family members). This can be done in one of three ways:

1. by paying at reception
2. by sending a cheque to the church
3. 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:

10 % discount to several services (including shop and cafeteria) at the Church.

Reductions in overnight facilities at our churches in Hamburg and London.

Help us to help others!

Christmas Fair 20.-24.11.2019