sample copy (PDF) - New World Finn

Kotinurkka -
The Corner of the Home
by Sargit Sohlberg Warriner
Visiting a friend in Helsinki last November,
I enjoyed seeing the first snowflakes of
winter blanketing Helsinki in white. There
was a wonderful calmness all around. My friend
remarked, with a sense of a relief in her voice,
how this snowfall was a welcome change from the
constant grayness of the previous month.
We strolled to a favorite coffeehouse located
in Senate Square in downtown Helsinki. What
a pleasure it was to enter! The aroma of freshly
brewed coffee filled the room and the small
candles flickering on the window sills added to the
atmosphere. The delicious coffee was served to
our small marble table along with three chocolate
sweets wrapped in golden paper.
The view from our table was picturesque. We could see streetcars passing by and
pedestrians clutching their umbrellas; and, in the distance, behind the statue of Tsar
Alexander II, stood a majestic white church. This church has had several names. The
original structure was built when Finland was the Grand Duchy of Finland, and the
church was named after Tsar Nicholas. Then, after Finland gained independence, the
church was renamed Tuomiokirkko, known informally by locals as the “big church”
(Suurkirkko). Today it is called the National Cathedral.
There had been several early churches in Helsinki but fires and wars destroyed them.
Interestingly, many of these structures had been located in close proximity to the present
day National Cathedral. In 1726, one such church was erected to replace a previous
church, which had burned down during the bitter fights of 1713 when a large portion
of Helsinki residents escaped to Sweden. This Lutheran church was named after the
Queen of Sweden, Ulrika Eleonora. Eventually, the Ulrica Eleonora church was also
demolished to make way for the new National Cathedral.
The history of the Ulrika Eleonora church must have fascinated Helsinki residents
for generations, because detailed information about its structure and interior as well as
all the changes and additions the church went through during the early 1800s have been
well documented. Indeed, my friend informed me that in 1997, the church was recreated
in its original scale as an ice sculpture at the approximate site where the original church
had stood. She also mentioned how small it was inside. Perhaps only one hundred
worshippers could attend a service at the same time
The National Cathedral, however, can easily accommodate hundreds. It is perched on
a hillside, and it looks to me as if it is hovering over downtown Helsinki. The church is
also easily visible from the ocean as you approach the city. “The church is more than a
place of worship” my friend commented, “it symbolizes something permanent and solid.
It is a part of the historic events that have taken place in and around Senate Square.”
Poem by Jane Noffke
On The Boats
You will say that I, who have no children,
Cannot know the depth of a parent’s love.
But I knew my mother’s desperation
And my father’s quiet resolve.
I know the simple courage it required
To hold my shaking body close to his,
To remove my arms from his neck,
To hear me cry, “Don’t go, Daddy, please don’t go,”
To wipe the tears from my cheeks
To tuck me back in bed
And then
To go.
To go alone into the still black morning,
To leave us for a season “on the boats,”
To shovel coal in the belly of a Great Lakes Freighter
To take what work he could when there was no choice.
He went because he loved us
And because love is not easy.
He went because he was our father
And because he knew what that meant.
© Jane Noffke (Photo of Jane and her father provided by Jane Noffke)
Helsinki’s National Cathedral:
More Than
A Place of Worship
In 1812, Helsinki became the capital of
Finland. The population of the new capital
started to grow rapidly, and a larger Lutheran
church was soon needed. In 1816, architect
Carl Ludvig Engel was commissioned to design
Helsinki’s important public buildings including the
buildings of Senate Square. He kept in mind the
growing need for a magnificent cathedral to unite
the architectural look of the other buildings. He
could also foresee the possible problems involved
in clearing the massive rock base in order for this
new church to be built.
During the construction of the National
Cathedral many of Helsinki’s citizens were eagerly
following the progress of the building site. Some must have dreamed of attending the
first service at the new church. It took twenty-five years to build. Many of the people
following its contruction did not live to see it completed and nor did the architect himself,
who died in 1840. The first service was held at the National Cathedral in 1852.
Of course, while the future cathedral was under construction, a temporary church
was needed. Carl Ludvig Engel was also commissioned for this project. This church
was to be built of wood and situated outside of the town limits. He emphasized that this
building was to be a temporary construction.
Interested in saving money, the city decided to use the interior from the Ulrika
Eleonora Church as much as possible. What could not be used, including the painting
that had graced the altar, was auctioned to the highest bidder. The temporary church
was dedicated in December 1826. Today it is called the Old Church (Vanha Kirkko),
and far from being temporary, it was recently totally renovated.
The town grew to include the Old Church, and today it stands in a small park
downtown. Helsinki residents have voted it the most charming church in Helsinki.
I certainly think so. Years ago, my own wedding ceremony was held there. I
wonder how many of our local guests knew that the pews they sat on as well as the gold
embellished pulpit were originally from the small Ulrica Eleonora church. My friend
told me that she had not visited the Old Church prior to my wedding ceremony, but she
felt the lightness and beauty that Carl Engel had created as soon as she stepped in the
church.
Today, however, we were enjoying the view of the National Cathedral building. As my
friend looked out from the coffeehouse’s window, she mentioned how spacious it looks
and feels inside. She continued by saying how much she admires the beauty and majesty
of the building itself. As we watched its two cupolas dotted with golden stars shine so
beautifully through the snowfall, I pointed out the wide, massive steps of the church that
face the Square. Did she know how many are there? There are forty eight steps in all,
although it felt that there was at least double the number when I climbed them.
JANUARY - FEBRUARY - MARCH • 2010 WINTER NEW WORLD FINN
13