Roman Catholic Church, Turku

The Roman Catholic Church in Turku is represented by Saint Bridget and Blessed Hemming Church, located centrally on Ursininkatu. Completed in 1966, the church is dedicated to Saint Bridget of Sweden and Bishop Hemming of Turku. The parish has a significant history, with roots tracing back over 80 years and a current membership of mostly immigrants, particularly from Southeast Asia and Poland.

Turku's Catholic history dates to the 18th century when Catholic sailors, merchants, and craftsmen began forming a small community. Despite being part of Saint Henry’s parish in Helsinki for much of its early history, Turku saw occasional visits from Catholic clergy, including Polish and Russian military priests. The city’s Catholic community slowly grew, and in the early 20th century, regular masses began being held, initially in private homes and temporary locations.

The present church building was designed by architect A.S. Sandel, with construction funded by Holzer. It was inaugurated on November 5th, 1966, and features artistic contributions from Father J. De Visser. The church is adorned with stained glass windows depicting scenes from the history of the Catholic Church in Finland and symbolic Christian imagery. Inside, relics of Saints Bridget, Lawrence, Boniface, and Cecilia are housed within the altar.

Today, Saint Bridget and Blessed Hemming Church continues to serve Turku's Catholic community, offering mass and other religious services under the guidance of Father Peter Gebara SCJ, the current parish priest. The church remains an important spiritual center for Catholics in the city, particularly for its diverse and immigrant population.