St Paul’s Church and Parish Hall

St Paul’s Church of Tartu, designed by architect Eliel Saarinen, was inaugurated in 1917, and is considered one of his seminal works. The restoration project, completed in 2015, was designed by architects Merja Nieminen and Kari Järvinen. The building’s architectural values have been successfully cleansed and clarified. A new crypt and columbarium were built in the basement and a memorial grove in the yard delineated by the lanterns of the columbarium. The relationship between new and old building sections is balanced and harmonious.

St Paul’s Church of Tartu, designed by architect Eliel Saarinen, was inaugurated in 1917. The interior was finished in 1919. Stylistically, the building represents Saarinen’s progress from art nouveau to classicism and is considered one of his seminal works. Its history is fraught with drama. It was destroyed by fine during the Second World War, and in the Soviet era, the building even served as a warehouse and flea market.

The restoration project, completed in 2015, was designed by architects Merja Nieminen and Kari Järvinen. The restoration plan is based on the winning entry to the invitational competition held in 2006. The building’s architectural values have been successfully cleansed and clarified. The execution is based on a thorough perusal of archives and resulting solutions that make skilful use of modern construction technology. A new crypt and columbarium were built in the basement and a memorial grove in the yard delineated by the lanterns of the columbarium. The relationship between new and old building sections is balanced and harmonious. The fruits of cooperation with various artists complete the whole, providing an emotive architectural experience.