Helsinki’s group of Lutheran congregations is expected to postpone, or possibly cancel plans for the construction of new churches in the immediate future. Markku Koskinen, head of real estate property for the city’s Lutheran congregations, says that money is short, which is forcing the church to set certain priorities.
The City of Helsinki is waiting for a decision on the planned construction of the Simonkappeli chapel near the Forum shopping mall in the centre of the city.
A winner for the architectural competition on the project was chosen in January, but the construction of the 300 square metre facility has not moved forward since then.
Koskinen says that the Church Council will discuss next year’s budget in September, and that a decision should be made in October.
Helsinki’s Lutheran congregations have a number of construction projects underway. Construction and expansion work is going on in the churches of Pitäjänmäki and Vuosaari, costing a combined EUR 11 million.
In addition to Simonkappeli, there are plans for the construction of a new church in Malminkartano, and the Markus Center in Oulunkylä. The existing churches of Töölö and Alppila are also in need of repair.
The projects for the present decade are expected to cost EUR 60-70 million.
