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.
Our 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 – Cafe and Suomi-shop
Sauna
Membership and Donation
Christmas and Easter Fairs
Contact details for the Church Staff
Our Finnish Shop and Café on the terrace (with an awning)
are open from 14.4.21
Wed-Fri 14-20
Sat-Sun 12-18
A Warm Welcome!
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.
[/su_note]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 in London is Welfare Officer Hanna Lindholm.
Regional work
We offer social support remotely from London to all the Finns living in Britain or Ireland. Welfare Officer can be contacted by email, phone or social media.
When it’s possible, Welfare Officer travels to as many location as possible to meet with Finnish communities and groups, for example Finnish Schools and independent Finnish groups. Welfare Officer also offers career counselling for students and adults.
During pandemic we offer virtual groups as a possibility to come together remotely, usually via Zoom.
The contact person of our social work outside London is Welfare Officer Salla Korteniemi.
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 Social Welfare Officer Salla Korteniemi 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.
We have four rooms in our hostel. Two of these are six-bed group rooms with shared bathroom facilities. There are also two four-bed ensuite guest rooms, one of which is reserved for female travellers only. According to the government guidelines during the coronavirus breakout all rooms can accommodate only housing parties from the same household or support bubble and showers are assigned to one household or support bubble only.
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.
The accommodation includes sheets and a breakfast package. (Unfortunately our sauna is not in use for the time being.)
Those using the accommodation must arrive at the Church during the opening hours of the cafeteria (Tue – Fri at 1pm – 6pm, Sat-Sun at 1pm – 3pm). 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 and there is a charge of £20-50 for a late check-in. Please contact our reception to agree this.
You can book by calling us at (+44) 02072374668 or with our Hostelworld site.
Other Facilities at the Church
Cafeteria
Our cafe is open from 14.4.21
Wed – Fri 14-20
Sat-Sun 12-18
We serve a daily selection of Finnish delicacies: Cinnamon buns, Karelian pies and berry pies – and we welcome you to enjoy your favourites!
You may also buy from our cafeteria for take away.
In addition, during the weekends (and by order), you can enjoy tasty Finnish home cooking.
The cafeteria offers various services:
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- 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!
Plan ahead! Give us a call or send a quick message if you know you are coming in a certain time. Then we can make sure we have enough your favourite treats ready.
We can make gluten-free or vegan treats as well when ordered!
Thank you for your support and hope to see you soon!
The Finnish Shop – Suomi-shop
In our Finnish Shop 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.
Thank you for your support and hope to see you soon!
Finnish Shop is open from 14.4.21
Wed-Fri 14-20
Sat-Sun 12-18
Sauna
Please note our sauna is closed due to the pandemic restrictions!
The best Finnish sauna in London – welcome to have some löyly!
You can make a private sauna booking for a session of 1 hour.
Each session is strictly for the members of one household or support bubble and for max 4 people.
Price:
- £25/hour for 2 people
- additional adults £10/person.
Children from the same household (under 6 years) free of charge.
Sauna cleaning is included in the price.
Please bring your own seat cover and a towel. It is possible to purchase a seat cover from our shop, from £4, and to rent a towel for £2.
Please note face coverings are mandatory at the reception and all common areas of the Church. You can take off your face cover at the dressing room to enter the shower room and sauna.
For NHS test and trace you should provide your contact details upon arrival. You may also check in with your NHS test and trace app.
By booking a session at the Finnish Church sauna I agree to
- not to come to the facilities if showing any symptoms of Covid-19.
- leave the sauna facilities promptly at the end of my booked session.
- follow the sauna code of conduct and any guidance from the staff to ensure a safe visit for everyone.
SAUNA CODE OF CONDUCT
- Follow the Covid-19 pandemic guidance and health and safety guidance to protect yourself and others.
- Wash thoroughly with soap before entering the sauna.
- Always use a seat cover to sit on in the sauna.
- No glass bottles are allowed in the changing rooms, shower room, or the sauna itself.
- You are welcome to throw clean water onto the stones and enjoy the miraculous effects of löyly – but please be moderate with the water. Sauna competitions are strictly not allowed. Throwing too much water will cause a fire alarm.
- No washing products, any other chemicals or sauna scents in the hot room.
- Sauna settings (including temperature) are not to be changed by anyone but the church staff.
- Please leave the dressing room tidy for the next sauna guests.
To book your sauna session please call 0207237 4668 or send us email kitchen@merimieskirkko.fi.
(we start to take reservations after noon on the 4th of december)
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:
- by paying at reception
- by sending a cheque to the church
- by paying via our Charity Checkout service or to our bank account
The Finnish Church in London, Danske Bank, Sort Code: 30 12 81, Account Number: 22028537
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.
Reduded price in hostel accommodation at our churches in Hamburg and London.
Help us to help others!
Finnish Church Christmas Fair
”Scandinavians are born festive, so this Finnish market is sure to provide the most Christmassy of outings, despite it being held in a church in Rotherhithe rather than a snow-capped village. Browse traditional Finnish toys, design pieces, Christmas cards and plenty of Moomin memorabilia before tucking into some reindeer stew (none of Father Christmas’s team were harmed in the making of this dish), huge hot dogs, Finnish beer and cinnamon buns. There are plenty of edible treats to take home, too – rye breads, gravadlax, Fazer chocolates and cloudberry jam among them. Live music will entertain while you shop, and the event will expand from Fri-Sun to include a Scandinavian Christmas market in front of the church.” (Time Out 22.10.2015)