100 angels’ church / Iglesia de 100 ángeles / Èglise des 100 anges

November 26, 2010

100 angels’ church / Iglesia de 100 ángeles / Èglise des 100 anges

Filed under: Churches-wooden — Sartenada @ 07:23
Tags: 100 angels’ church, Altar, Altarpiece, Angel pictures in churches, angels in churches, Architecture, Autel, Èglise des 100 anges, Églises, Églises finladaises, banc d’église, banc de fidèle, banco de igreja, beffroi, Bell tower, Belltower, Blogstory, Campanile, church, church built of wood, Churches, Clocher, espadaña, Europe, Finland, Finnish churches, historic - iglesia vieja (old church), Iglesia de 100 ángeles, iglesia de los cien angeles, iglesia en madera con los angeles, Iglesias, Iglesias finlandesas, Igreja, Ilomantsi, Kirchenbank, Kirchturm, koorgestoelte, Ostrobothnia, paintings in churches, Panca, Pew, Pewes, Photography, Photojournalism, Pulpit, Religion, Scandianavia, Sermon, Shrine, steeple, Tourism, Travel, Travel destination, Travel photography, Wooden church, wooden churches

In English:

Ilomatsi church.

During next four weeks I am presenting four totally different churches in my country. When saying different, I really mean it. I start the presentation with “100 angels’ church” or “Picture church” as it is known also. In this church there are painted more than 100 angels. Also there is painted the Creator of the World, although the Bible says that it is forbidden to make a picture of God.

Ilomantsi is a municipality in North Karelia and it can be reached from Helsinki by car in 6 hours. Its situation is quite near the Russian border. So the “Frontier spirit” is touchable there although it is Karelian style.

Pews of the church are for 800 persons and it was built in 1796 by Henrik Johan Mechelin. Also the altarpiece is by Henrik Johan Mechelin. Samuel Elmgren (1830–1832) painted those angels and stories with person from Bible. Enjoy viewing angels.

En español:

Iglesia de Ilomatsi

Durante próximas cuatro semanas que estoy presentando cuatro diferentes iglesias en mi país. Al decir diferentes, lo digo en serio. Inicio la presentación con “Iglesia de 100 ángeles” o “Iglesia de imagen” como se lo conocen también. En esta iglesia hay pintadas más de 100 ángeles. Asimismo, el Creador del Mundo, aunque la Biblia dice que está prohibido para hacer una imagen de Dios.

Ilomantsi es al noreste de Helsinki en coche unas 6 horas. Su situación es muy cerca de la frontera con Rusia. Así que “El espíritu de frontera” es palpable al estilo de Carelia.

Bancos están para 800 personas y la iglesia fue construida en 1796 por Henrik Johan Mechelin. También el retablo es por Henrik Johan Mechelin. Samuel Elmgren (1830-1832) pintó los ángeles y otras personas e historias de la Biblia. Disfrute viendo ángeles de esta iglesia.

En français:

Église de Ilomatsi

Pendent suivant quatre semaines, je vais vous présenter quatre églises différentes dans mon pays. En disant différentes, Je veux le dire vraiment. Je commence la présentation avec “Èglise des 100 anges” ou “L’èglise de l’image” comme elle est connue aussi. Dans cette église il ya peint plus de 100 anges. Aussi le créateur du monde, bien que la Bible dit qu’il est interdit de faire une image de Dieu.

Ilomantsi est de Helsinki vers le Nord-est et le trajet dure en voiture d’environ 6 heures. Sa situation est très près de la frontière russe. Alors l’esprit de «frontière» est palpable bien que soit c’est le style de Carélie.

Les bancs sont pour 800 personnes et elle a été construit en 1796 par Henrik Johan Mechelin. Aussi le retable est par Henrik Johan Mechelin. Samuel Elmgren (1830-1832) peint les anges et les autres personnes et les histoires de la Bible. Jouissez-Vous voyent les anges de cette èglise.

100 angels’ church / Iglesia de 100 ángeles / Èglise des 100 anges

Comments (62)

62 Comments »

My what a beautiful church that is! It would be very interesting to me to attend a service there. I would love to see it when filled with worshippers. The architecture of your country is very pleasing to see and the insides of the church are very beautiful too!

Comment by montucky — November 26, 2010 @ 23:05 | Reply
- Hello Montucky.
  
  Thank You. Because this church is situated “far away” from my house, I have not been visited in it earlier until this year. This summer I was lucky to go inside. I had read that there are a lot of paintings and thus I was very interested to see them.
  
  Comment by sartenada — November 27, 2010 @ 09:54 | Reply
What a fine presentation of this beautiful church, it is so different from our churches here in Denmark, I like the wood as building material, and together with the colorful painting and all the angels in the church it must make you feel pleasant, uplifted and welcome here.

Comment by truels — November 27, 2010 @ 00:33 | Reply
- Hi Truels.
  
  Thank You. I like wood also very much to be used as building material. It makes churches different from those stone churches. Anyway every church has some specialties.
  
  Comment by sartenada — November 27, 2010 @ 09:57 | Reply
Good morning Matti,
The church is beautiful. You know that I like churches and I am very happy about it, that I may look at these beautiful pictures. The color of the exterior including the architecture is very harmonious and friendly. Wooden churches are for me, something special. The beautiful colors of the interior including the paintings is impressive and give a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. All images are excellent for expression in the viewing angle, color and detail. I thank you for allowing me to watch this series and look forward to the next. In between, I always look back to your blog and enjoy the series of pictures. Thank you very much for all your nice comments. We wish you and Anja a nice weekend, all the best and health on your common everyday ways. We have the first snow in Cologne this year since Friday morning. There is not much, but it was all white and beautiful. Dear greetings Christel and Detlev

Comment by Christel — November 27, 2010 @ 02:46 | Reply
- Hello Christel.
  
  Danke schön. I am glad that You liked these paintings and I wished that that You could see them. Although in some of our churches there are paintings, but I love these due to their “fresh” colors.
  
  Comment by sartenada — November 27, 2010 @ 10:01 | Reply
I like how the colors are so similar to many of the buildings and houses are you have shown in past posts. Very different from the churches I have been in the States. We don’t have the bright colors.

Comment by kateri — November 27, 2010 @ 04:43 | Reply
- Hi Kateri.
  
  I am so glad that You liked this post of mine. It is always so nice to read pleasant comments about my posts which have required plenty of efforts, driving around in my country and time also. But I enjoy to explore my country and to find something new to me.
  
  Comment by sartenada — November 27, 2010 @ 10:06 | Reply
A very beautiful series of this church. I like the details photos and the great colors. This church looks completely different than the one we used to know here. Thanks for sharing ! Enjoy your weekend 🙂

Comment by Tamara — November 27, 2010 @ 11:07 | Reply
- Hello Tamara.
  
  Thank You so much for Your comment. I have never seen myself a church with this kind of color inside, but everything seems to be possible, I think.
  
  Je te souhaite un très agréable weekend!
  
  Comment by sartenada — November 27, 2010 @ 12:08 | Reply
Espectacular la decoración con 100 ángeles de las paredes de la iglesia.
Saludos

Comment by trapatroles — November 27, 2010 @ 14:34 | Reply
- Hola Trapatroles.
  
  Muchas gracias por tu visita y al hacer un cometario tan amable.
  
  Espero con todo mi corazón que tengas un muy buen domingo.
  
  Comment by sartenada — November 28, 2010 @ 09:39 | Reply
What I really like is the details in the artwork, colors, and stained glass. The photo, Laupias Samarialainen, the painting is quite unusual for me as I haven’t seen anything like it. Also, I have seen some beautifully decorated churches in the U.S.A., but nothing like this “Picture Church” with its wonderful bell tower.

Have a great weekend!

Comment by Anna — November 27, 2010 @ 17:19 | Reply
- Hello Anna.
  
  Thank You Anna for Your nice comment. I guess that You solved in Your mind what is “Laupias Samarialainen”. Yes, it is Good Samaritan.
  
  Happy Sunday.
  
  Comment by sartenada — November 28, 2010 @ 09:43 | Reply
Wow! Finnish church is so unique!
Some English churches are very similar to yours.
Especially Methodist, Baptist churches.
Nothing very fanciful. Just a place for worship.

6 hours of drive? That’s quite a long journey but it’s definitely worth it.

Comment by London Caller — November 28, 2010 @ 02:39 | Reply
- Hi London Caller.
  
  Thank You for Your visit here and leaving Your comment. Yes, six hours, that’s right, but not driving on highways, but local twisting roads. At same time I was photographing a very special exhibition of wooden art made by local artists. That I’ll publish next year and I can say in advance that those wooden figures are curious and at same time hilarious.
  
  Happy Sunday to London.
  
  Comment by sartenada — November 28, 2010 @ 09:46 | Reply
Quelle belle visite dans cette ancienne église en bois de Carélie ! Evidemment ca me rappelle “un peu” les églises russes de l´autre côté de la frontière… mais le clocher de l´Eglise des cent Anges” est différent. J´aime beaucoup ce bois peint, les couleurs chaudes, les vitraux colorés et tous ces anges á l´air un peu latin 😉 Ca change des anges souvent représentés avec des cheveux blonds et des yeux bleus. Très belle photos, une fois de plus, merci et bon dimanche 🙂

Comment by isathreadsoflife — November 28, 2010 @ 11:58 | Reply
- Bonjour Isa.
  
  C’était très agréable à lire que tu connais la Carélie. Il ya “deux Carélies”, l’une sur le côté finlandais et l’autre sur la partie russe. Autrefois les gens ont été de même origine, je croix vraiment. Un excellent exemple est notre l’épopée nationale Finlandaise – Kalevala.
  
  http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalevala
  
  Je suis tellement contente que mon post t’as plu.
  
  Je te souhaite aussi un très bon dimanche.
  
  Comment by sartenada — November 28, 2010 @ 12:14 | Reply
Bonjour Sartenada

Ce sont de très belles couleurs dans vos églises.
elles sont superbe.
je te souhaite une bonne journée

Comment by frammy — November 30, 2010 @ 12:43 | Reply
- Bonjour Frammy.
  
  Merci beaucoup pour ton visit et de faire un commentaire si gentil.
  
  Belle journèe á toi aussi.
  
  Comment by sartenada — November 30, 2010 @ 12:56 | Reply
I really like the outside of the church and the varying roof heights. The shapes are simple, but there is decoration on the bell tower and the wood and colour make it an impressive building. These old buildings are very special. Thank you for your series of photos and for taking us inside to see all the paintings.

Comment by jackiequeen — December 1, 2010 @ 14:50 | Reply
- Hi Jackiequeen.
  
  Thank You for Your visit and for Your kind words.
  
  The church seems to be so called “Cross church” and with it I mean its form. The contrast to it is a rectangular church. Rectangular form is the most basic, easy to build and most cheap of course. Some churches in this form are looking like “cow house” when seen from outside. Inside look is then another thing and then one can have surprises. Maybe someday next year I’ll present a church in rectangular form, but a beautiful one.
  
  This church roof is really special here in Finland, as I have noticed on my many trips. It is not so common that the roof is cut from each side at the top.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by sartenada — December 1, 2010 @ 17:57 | Reply
I’ve noticed, as in your third photo, your churches have this round – cylinder stage like area… What is this? Is it the pulpit where the preacher gives the sermon?

Comment by Preston — December 2, 2010 @ 21:57 | Reply
- Hi Preston.
  
  Thank You asking it. If I understand correct Your question, in that case it is the pulpit. The same can be seen in photos 5 and 6. I have a quite good collection of pulpits in my post:
  
  https://sartenada.wordpress.com/category/compare-pulpits/
  
  Have wonderful day.
  
  Comment by sartenada — December 3, 2010 @ 07:17 | Reply
de très belles peinture.
bonne soirée
a+
frammy

Comment by frammy — December 7, 2010 @ 00:03 | Reply
- Salut Frammy.
  
  Merci beaucoup de ton visit et ta remarque Frammy.
  
  Belle journèe.
  
  Comment by sartenada — December 7, 2010 @ 07:19 | Reply
Wow, Stained glass, painted decoration, beautiful timbers, angels, architecture … and detail, detail detail, what’s not to LOVE about your blog?! I’ve subscribed 🙂 I’m very much looking forward to seeing more of your photos, wonderful!!!!!

Comment by kiwidutch — December 8, 2010 @ 21:36 | Reply
- Hello kiwidutch.
  
  Thank You so much. I am glad my post pleased to You. Your blog is also full of wonders and I like it.
  
  Have wonderful Day!
  
  Comment by sartenada — December 9, 2010 @ 07:22 | Reply
Oh, my goodness!

Thanks sooo much for sharing these beautiful photos!

I, too, love angels. A lot.

You’re the best!

Comment by Deli Lanoux, Ed.D. — July 22, 2011 @ 16:13 | Reply
- Hi Deli.
  
  I am glad that You liked this wooden church in Finland. We have very special churches here which are wooden made. Personally I like them very much.
  
  You can find them here:
  
  https://sartenada.wordpress.com/category/churches-wooden/
  
  If You visit them, you will be surprised, I am sure about it.
  
  Happy week-end!
  
  Comment by sartenada — July 23, 2011 @ 11:29 | Reply
This is an amazing church. I love the painting and the subtle colours. How I would love to see this in person!

Comment by shuttersnapper — July 27, 2011 @ 08:08 | Reply
- Hello shuttersnapper.
  
  Thank You for Your visit and lovely comment. This is only one example of our wooden churches, but it is a good one.
  
  Happy blogging!
  
  Comment by sartenada — July 27, 2011 @ 09:04 | Reply
Gorgeous photos of a beautiful church.

Comment by Susan Russo Anderson — August 2, 2011 @ 16:55 | Reply
- Hi Susan.
  
  Thank You. It was so nice to read that You liked this wooden church our countryside.
  
  Happy blogging!
  
  Comment by sartenada — August 3, 2011 @ 07:03 | Reply
We’re at the world’s biggest wooden church today in Kerimaki. We’re visiting Finland right now. We celebrated Juhannus on Kaunissaari, we’ve been to Kokkola, Kuusamo, Savonlina. It’s so beautiful here.

Comment by Nopham — June 29, 2012 @ 23:52 | Reply
- Hi Nopham.
  
  What a surprise!!! I am amazed that You visit my “unknown” country. The beginning of this summer has been rainy and cold, but sometimes sunny. We just came from our countryside cottage which is near to the small town call Varkaus. Varkaus and Savonlinna are quite near to each others, the distance is only about 80 kilometers / 50 miles. I’ll write to You a mail.
  
  Happy stay in Finland and remember to make posts in Your blog.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — July 1, 2012 @ 08:41 | Reply
Dear Matti,
For over 40 years I only knew some of your country from my fascination with the Kantele. For me, the sound was unique and the old styles of music were very seductive. I read a few books and rarely saw TV programs. Now that we have been to Helsinki twice and have seen your remarkable photos, my admiration for Finland has grown enormously. I felt awed by the Old Church in Helsinki. It is so clean, beautiful and inspiring. Lots of our English churches are dusty and gloomy (but not all). Your photos of Finnish churches have made my soul smile in wonder. One of the many CD’s I bought in Helsinki is “Kanteleeni”, Spiritual Melodies from Finland; played on Kantele. I can imagine some of them being sung in the Church of 100 Angels. Again, I am awed! I sent some of my photos of the Old Church to my friend in Scotland. He is a Scottish Church Elder. He said, “What a wonderful place of worship it must be” Yes, indeed! Thank you for this amazing set of pictures.
Try http://www.rydebaptist.org This is my church.

Comment by Clive and Adi Anderson — July 6, 2012 @ 21:18 | Reply
- Hello Clive and Adi.
  
  Thank You for Your message. I did not know that You have been to Helsinki twice. That warms my heart. What comes to Kantele, You are right that this 100 Angels’ church might be the right place to listen to Kantele or the song Kanteleeni. The church is quite near to the Russian border on the area called Karelia, but it does not mean that the culture at the other side would be very different. “Old Karelia”, my own term, has had its own culture and to that belongs Kantele. If You read what Wikipedia says about the famous Finnish man called
  
  Elias Lönnrot
  
  then You understand better.
  
  I checked the link which You gave here and I find Your community very active and warm hearted.
  
  I wish to You both a very happy and sunny summer.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — July 7, 2012 @ 07:31 | Reply
They are wonderful angels and the churches are breath taking, must have a holiday in you lovely country. Thank you for sharing the link on my blog.

Comment by blosslyn — March 26, 2013 @ 10:52 | Reply
- Hi Lynne.
  
  Thank You very much for Your praising comment. If You some day decide to come here, then let me plan to You best routes and maximum amount of travel sights.
  
  Happy Tuesday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — March 26, 2013 @ 13:18 | Reply
I like to visit churches and take its pictures. Since it’s a place of worship, architecture pay more attention and focus on the beauty to details. I’m liking your blog already, because you do write a bit of history in your pictures. I like to know where everything comes from that’s why I also include a little of its history 🙂

Comment by Jasmine — August 27, 2014 @ 14:40 | Reply
- Hi Jasmine.
  
  Thank You. Churches offer huge amount items to be photographed, like chairs, altarpieces, chandeliers, pews etc.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — August 28, 2014 @ 07:02 | Reply
hello there – wonderful photos – I have been to Helsinki and also spent 2 weeks in February up in Pukaharui – all the shops were shut and we had to take skis to go to the nearest shopping opportunity a gas station, I got very tired of smoked fish and dried soups during that time I can tell you. but I did enjoy the landscapes the snow on snow on snow of the trees and wide expanses of frozen lake – oh and I went to a russian restaurant in Helsinki and had the most wonderful honey vodka so many good memories!

Comment by polianthus — July 8, 2015 @ 13:56 | Reply
- Hello polianthus.
  
  Wow. I meet very seldom people in my blog who have been visited in Finland. It was very nice to read that You loved winter and snow. Many are “afraid” of cold. I just wonder why You selected Punkaharju. Of course I know the Place. If You someday come again to Finland, then visit in these awesome places:
  
  World’s Biggest Snow Castle.
  
  Arctic Circle in winter.
  
  Best regads!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — July 8, 2015 @ 14:06 | Reply
  - HI there – actually it was beautiful in February – the light was amazing, we were in a cabin in the middle of the woods staying at a time share – we had our own sauna and we got to do snow angels afterwards, we were the only tourists there, it was very odd. Also taking the train out of Helsinki into the middle of nowhere was wonderful! thanks for the tips I will check them out Poli
    
    Comment by polianthus — July 8, 2015 @ 14:17 | Reply
    - Thank You. I am glad that You enjoyed Your visit in the middle of nowhere. 🙂
      
      Comment by Sartenada — July 8, 2015 @ 14:21 | Reply
      - sorry wasn’t meant to be insulting in any way! I have friends who get upset when I say they live in the middle of nowhere…:)
        
        Comment by polianthus — July 8, 2015 @ 14:23 | Reply
        
        I knew exactly about what You meant. There nothing to excuse!!!
        
        Comment by Sartenada — July 8, 2015 @ 14:25 | Reply
        
        GREAT
        
        Comment by polianthus — July 8, 2015 @ 14:50 | Reply
        
        🙂
        
        Comment by Sartenada — July 9, 2015 @ 07:21 | Reply
Particularly interesting those lively colors and the wood as building material.
The paintings are beautiful and very inspiring…..what more can I say?
Thank you for reproposing this post which I had missed years ago….

Comment by 76sanfermo — July 8, 2015 @ 16:58 | Reply
- Chiao Anna.
  
  Very nice m. I appreciate it very much because in Your country there are so many wonderful churches. Of course, these wooden churches differ from those in Your country. This church is situated in a small place nearly in the middle of “nowhere” in the same small town where there was held the Bear Carving Contest.
  
  Have a nice day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — July 9, 2015 @ 07:34 | Reply
I think it is wonderful what you are doing. While it is art and beauty on its own, it is also history – often churches decline and disappear without anyone to record the beauty in art and architecture that they hold.

Comment by Jared — August 24, 2018 @ 07:08 | Reply
- Hello Jared.
  
  Thank You for Your kind words. Churches in Finland differs very much from those on the Mediterranean area for example. They are simple, but at same time they offer those things which You mentioned. This Church is unique, because it offers scenes from the Bible on its walls:
  
  Church of Haukipudas.
  
  Have a good day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — August 24, 2018 @ 07:28 | Reply
  - This is fantastic! I often sit around American churches wondering, where is all the art? We rarely even have stained glass windows anymore, they all look like recreation halls! Worshiping God is not about the building, but if you’re going to go to all the trouble of building something for God’s glory, you might as well make it beautiful and symbolic. I love how rich in symbols the churches are that you share!
    
    Comment by Jared — August 24, 2018 @ 07:53 | Reply
    - Thank You Jared. Did You check the church of Haukipudas? It is inside gorgeous.
      
      Happy upcoming weekend!
      
      Comment by Sartenada — August 24, 2018 @ 09:58 | Reply
      - Yes, loved it!
        
        Comment by Jared — August 24, 2018 @ 13:32 | Reply
Beautiful!

Comment by Pam — November 12, 2019 @ 16:28 | Reply
- Hello Pam.
  
  I am glad that you loved this Church. It is a little bit different church. Our countryside offers “incredible” churches. On countryside our churches are mainly wooden churches and bell towers are separated from churches itself. Although my photos are old, this church is one of my favorite one in my country and it has been accepted to the UNESCOs world inheritance catalogue:
  
  Old church at Petajavesi
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — November 13, 2019 @ 08:48 | Reply
  - That is wonderful! It makes me happy that people appreciate these things.
    
    Comment by Pam — November 13, 2019 @ 15:17 | Reply
Matti, this church is stunning! Is it a Lutheran church or Orthodox church? I was quite taken with the all the color! Our churches here would only have that kind if color in our windows! Cady

Comment by CadyLuck Leedy — January 28, 2020 @ 17:26 | Reply
- Hello Cady.
  
  I am grateful that you commented this Church. You have noticed that I love shooting photos about churches, because they offer history and beauty for man’s eye. Yes, this Church is a Lutheran Church. It is situated in the eastern border in middle Finland. Nearby there are hold annually bear carving contests. 🙂 I have photos graphed 4 Orthodox churches. In my country we have a hidden gem and this is one – Orthodox monastery.
  
  Monastery is also church and this post shows what kind they are inside. There the soul is rested and the mind calms down.
  
  Monastery of New Valamo
  
  I have been there spending one night! It was an experience. Did you know that people are standing, not sitting inside Orthodox churches during worship? This is my favorite place and it is absolutely worth for a visit.
  
  Have a good day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — January 29, 2020 @ 08:19 | Reply