Petäjävesi Old Church

The story behind the place

Local land-owning peasants built Petäjävesi Old Church in 1763–65 under master builder Jaakko Klemetinpoika Leppänen. Their log construction and steep shingled roofs turn familiar materials into an expressive church. In 1821, Leppänen’s grandson Erkki added the belfry and its connecting passage. A newer church later took over everyday use, but the old building was never decommissioned and still hosts services and life events. Its story combines continuing local care with distinctive wooden architecture.

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