The brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen won a competition in 1961 with their entry Kivikirkko, or Stone Church. Groundbreaking was in February 1968, and the church was consecrated in September 1969. It was first called Taivallahti Church and renamed in 1971.
The main hall is excavated into solid granite bedrock, with exposed rock walls. A copper-lined dome rests on radial reinforced-concrete beams, and about 180 windows form a glazed ring. The church seats about 750, and its organ dates from 1975.
Acoustics arguments from the conductor Paavo Berglund and Mauri Parjo kept the rock bare. Sightseeing admission is 8 euros, and the church closes to sightseers during weddings and funerals.
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