Organisation and governance

In Espoo, the Lutheran Church is a union of six Parishes. Five of the Parishes are Finnish-speaking, each covering a particular area of Espoo. The sixth Parish serves all Swedish-speaking members in Espoo. 

The Espoo Parish Union is an umbrella organisation responsible for the overall management, financial and membership administration, and real estate. It also hosts joint ministries for all parishes, such as hospital and university chaplaincies, family counselling, special diakonia, and multicultural work.

Church members belong to one of the parishes. Whatever your mother tongue, you can choose whether you want to belong to a Finnish or Swedish parish. The Swedish parish covers all of Espoo, but the Finnish parishes are geographically divided. To which Finnish parish you belong depends on your address. To find your parish, you can check this map or contact us. When you move, your parish may also change. Only Espoo residents can be members of the Lutheran Church in Espoo. Therefore, if you move outside Espoo, your membership will be automatically transferred to the Parish of your new address/location.

Even though your Parish membership is determined by the language of your choice (Finnish or Swedish) and where you live, you are most welcome to participate in the life and activities of any and all of our parishes.

If you need diaconal counselling and support, contact the local parish of your area, whether or not you are a member.