Churches are popular tourist attractions around the world. Finnish church architecture interests both domestic and international travellers. The churches of Raahe, Siikajoki and Pyhäjoki are impressive sights where Finnish history, architecture and local cultural heritage come together. The churches of the Raahe region are part of the From Church to Church route, which is included in the official Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture programme.
Churches in Raahe
Raahe Church of Holy Trinity was completed in 1912, replacing the wooden church built in 1653 that burned down in 1908. Representing National Romanticism and Art Nouveau, most of the granite stones used for the church were quarried from the islands off the coast of Raahe. The chandeliers resemble the ship's railing, fitting for the character of an old maritime town.
Raahe's church serves as a Road Church during the summer season and is open to the public.
In the St. Olaf's Church of Saloinen, medieval saint images and a saint's cabinet from the 1400s, saved from the fire of the previous church, are preserved. The bell tower, dating back to 1783, is said to have been designed by King Gustav III.
The church of Saloinen is open to the public upon request and during events.
Pattijoki Church, also known as the Chapel of Silence, was designed by architect Josef Stenbäck. Completed in 1912, the church's altarpiece is a Tyrolean gilded wooden sculpture of Christ on the Cross. The front window of the church features a stained glass artwork titled "Resurrection," designed by artist Matti Lammi.
The church of Pattijoki is open to the public upon request and during events.
Vihanti's Sofia Magdalena Church was built in 1784 during the reign of Gustav III. The church is named after Gustav III's wife, Sofia Magdalena. It was constructed by the renowned builder Simon Silvén-Jylkkä from Metsäkylä, Kalajoki.
The church of Vihanti is open to the public upon request and during events.
Churches in Siikajoki
The story of Siikajoki Church began in 1589 when the first house of worship was completed on the bank of the Siikajoki River, at Mankinen Ridge. After the Russians burned the church in 1591, the congregation built a new sanctuary on the same site in 1600. This structure was demolished to make way for the current church, which was built in 1701. The church received its present form in 1852, when it was renovated according to the plans of Johan Oldenburg.
The church of Siikajoki is open to the public upon request and during events.
Church of Revonlahti in Siikajoki was completed in 1775. The church was likely built on the same site where Revonlahti’s preaching house, completed in 1691, had stood.
The church of Revonlahti is open to the public upon request and during events.
Paavola Church was built in 1756 in Siikajoki. It is named after the Swedish Princess Sofia. The new church was probably constructed on the site of the old Pehkola Church, which was completed in 1691.
The church of Paavola is open to the public upon request and during events.
Churches in Pyhäjoki
Church of Pyhäjoki was completed in 1977. It was designed by Karvala & Silvennoinen after the wooden church, originally drawn by Carl Ludvig Engel, was destroyed in a fire in 1974. This church is the third in Pyhäjoki. The first church was built in the 1500s, and candle chandeliers and a baptismal font from that period adorn the current church. The church combines a modern exterior with an interior that emphasizes sanctity and harmony. The concentrated placement of salvaged items from the burned church creates an impressive connection between the new and the old.
Pyhäjoki Church will serve as a Road Church in the summer of 2026 and will be open from 22 June to 7 August from 10 AM to 7 PM, otherwise by appointment.
From Church to Church
The official Oulu2026 programme’s Church to Church route showcases the churches of North Ostrobothnia across the areas of three deaneries. The route has been created to help travellers interested in architecture, art, and history to discover the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the region’s churches. Explore the route more here.
Churches in the Raahe region can be found along the following routes:
- The Coastal Route follows the old Ostrobothnian coastal road alignment and offers a diverse selection of churches and their surroundings from different centuries. On this route you will visit the Church of Siikajoki, the Church of Pattijoki, the Holy Trinity Church of Raahe, the Church of Saloinen, and the Church of Pyhäjoki.
- On the Oldest Cross Churches Route, you will become acquainted with the masterpieces of traditional master builders and the oldest cross-shaped churches in the region. This route includes, in addition to the churches of Siikajoki, Revonlahti, and Paavola, the Sofia Magdalena Church of Vihanti.
- In Toppelius’ Churches, you can admire the works of Finland’s most famous church painter, Mikael Toppelius (1734–1821). On this route you will find the churches of Siikajoki — the churches of Siikajoki, Revonlahti, and Paavola.
- The Modern and Special Churches Route introduces the region’s distinctive specialties in church construction and highlights newer trends in church architecture. One of the sights on this route is the Church of Pyhäjoki.
- On the Bell Towers and Pauper Statues Route, you will see bell towers of churchyards, which are part of Finnish church tradition, as well as painted wooden statues of “poor men” attached to the church or bell tower walls. On this route you will find the churches of Saloinen and Pyhäjoki.