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.

Parish elections 2026

Parish elections are held every four years in November. The next elections are held on 15 November 2026.

All parishes in Espoo belong to a parish union. That means that two elections are held. In one election, representatives are elected to the parish board, the executive body of the parish, and, in the other, to the parish union board, the executive body of the parish union. Separate candidate lists are compiled for both elections, and candidates can choose to run in either one or both elections.

Parish elections are local elections that govern decision-making in your parish: how tax money from parishioners will be allocated, what activities will be offered, who will receive assistance, and where and how? Representatives can influence what happens in their parish, including how parish funds are spent, what activities are offered and who are nominated as lay members to the General Synod.

Who can stand for election?

Candidates must be confirmed members of the Church who have turned 18 on or before the election day. Candidates have to give their written consent to stand for election.


If you would like to stand for election, contact your parish for more information.

Who can vote?

You can vote if you are a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and are 16 years old on or before the election day 15 November 2026. Confirmation preparation or confirmation are not required; Church membership is enough.

Contact

Espoo Cathedral Parish

•    Dean Ari Paavilainen, 040 662 4985
•    Election committee secretary Tiina Vilponen, 040 593 3768

Espoonlahti Parish

•    Vicar Jukka Lehti, 050 434 1090
•    Election committee secretary Inari Varimo, 040 570 6270

Leppävaara Parish

•    Vicar Kaisa Yletyinen, 050 434 1085
•    Election committee secretary Merja Alanne, 050 347 2548

Olari Parish

•    Vicar Antti Malinen, 041 539 8778
•    Election committee secretary Antti Hirsto, 040 644 9461

Tapiola Parish

•    Vicar Päivi Linnoinen, 050 379 9038
•    Election committee secretary Anu Ristimäki, 050 322 3520

Espoo Swedish-language Parish

•    Vicar Kira Ertman, 050 358 1014
•    Election committee secretary Tomas Ray, 040 539 7811

 Email addresses are: first name.last name (a) evl.fi