Lempäälä approves €6.4m parish hall to replace moisture‑damaged 1963 building

The church council approved preliminary plans this week and set the project budget at roughly €6.4 million, YLE reports.

The project still requires a zoning change because the 1963 building is protected. The council decided in August to demolish the old structure after persistent moisture and indoor-air problems, and the Pirkanmaa Regional Museum does not oppose the demolition.

The new parish hall will be built on the same site beside medieval St. Birgitta's Church and the late-18th-century bell tower. It is designed to be modest so the church and bell tower remain the visual focus.

Planned spaces include a parish office, diaconal reception, youth rooms, meeting halls, a kitchen, administrative offices and social and break facilities for cemetery workers. The new building will be over 500 square metres smaller than the current hall. Wim Havinga, the architect, says the layout and windows will create a direct view and connection to the church.