Rautjärvi church
# Rautjärvi church

Rautjärvi church (Finnish: Rautjärven kirkko) was a Lutheran church in the town of Rautjärvi, in southeastern Finland. The church was designed by A.J. Jansson, and constructed of timber; it was completed in 1881. It replaced an earlier church on the same spot, completed in 1776 and destroyed in a fire in 1872.

The church and its surrounding milieu were designated and protected by the Finnish Heritage Agency as a nationally important built cultural environment (Valtakunnallisesti merkittävä rakennettu kulttuuriympäristö).

On 25 December 2022, the church was completely destroyed in an arson attack which took place during the Christmas morning service. Although there were c. 30-40 worshippers in attendance, and despite the doors having been secured shut from the outside, everyone was evacuated without casualties. The suspected perpetrator was later discovered dead at his home, which had also been burned down.

It has subsequently been proposed that a chapel be built to replace the church.

