Jukkasjärvi Church was built in the 17th century, in 1608 to be precise. It is the oldest protected wooden church in Lapland. It is best known for its altarpiece, created by Brother Hjorth. Its red color and architecture, typical of early Swedish religious buildings, enclose a rich history revolving around the Lutheran religion, while its decoration is strongly inspired by the Sami culture, the local population.
If you come to Jukkasjärvi, its church is a must-see.
Practical information about jukkasjärvi church
To help you prepare for your visit to Jukkasjärvi, here’s all the information you need to know about the Jukkasjärvi church.
Admission prices
Admission to Jukkasjärvi Church is free, as in most religious buildings.
Opening hours
Jukkasjärvi Church is open daily, Monday to Sunday, from 9am to 6pm. However, during religious services, you will not be allowed to enter. So be sure to respect local customs and beliefs when visiting the building.
Visit duration
Allow around twenty minutes to visit Jukkasjärvi Church and enjoy the beauty of the building and the surroundings.
How do I get there?
If you’re arriving by bus from Kiruna, this is the last stop on the Kiruna-Jukkasjärvi line. You can then take a stroll through the village, before catching the bus back to Kiruna.
What to see in the church
When you enter Jukkasjärvi church, you can’t help but notice the Sami inspiration behind the decoration. Behind the altar is a very special altarpiece.
This wooden triptych, carved by Bror Hjorth in 1958, represents a religious movement that is very well known in the region: Laestadianism.
The left-hand panel shows Pastor Læstadius giving a sermon to his followers, who repent before him. One returns the reindeer he stole and another breaks the barrel of alcohol he was about to drink.
The panel on the right shows a Sami woman “touched” by liikutuksia, a kind of religious ecstasy. On the right, a couple perform the Laestadian peace greeting. We also see Pastor Læstadius kneeling among the flowers, alongside his inspirer Maria and his successor Johan Raattamaa.
Finally, in the central panel, Christ’s blood flowing from his forehead is transformed into red flowers.
History of jukkasjärvi church
The village of Jukkasjärvi welcomed its first permanent inhabitants in the 17th century. In the early days, it belonged to the parish of Jukkasjärvi, and was home only to the parish priest, the bell ringer and their families.
From the mid-18th century onwards, several families of Finnish settlers also came to Jukkasjärvi, creating the village we know today. Jukkasjärvi’s history is therefore closely linked to its church and the Lutheran religion.
Lars Levi Læstadius was a Swedish Lutheran pastor of Lappish origin. Born in 1800, he became the leader of the Laestadian movement. This is a movement of the Lutheran religion.
He had a major influence in northern Lapland, particularly among the Sami. He changed their way of life and enabled them to reduce their alcohol consumption.
The Laestadian movement also spread to North America, but was most widespread in Finland. In 1899, Laestadianism split after the death of its successor, Johan Raattamaa.
Bror Hjorth was a Swedish sculptor and painter (1894-1968). He studied sculpture with Antoine Bourdelle in Paris for 4 years and was awarded the Prix Sergel in 1955.
Jukkasjärvi Church is a unique religious building that we recommend you visit between outdoor activities, thanks to its great cultural interest and unique history.
