Betel Church, Turku

Betel Church, located in the VII District of Turku is a hidden gem of architectural and cultural significance. Originally built in 1906 by architect Frithiof Strandell in the Jugend (Art Nouveau) style, the church later underwent renovations in 1927 under the direction of Erik Bryggman, who introduced a functionalist bell tower. Though tucked away from the main streets, with limited visibility to pedestrians, there have been ongoing discussions to improve access by creating a walkway from Yliopistonkatu to Puutarhakatu.

The church has been used by the Turku Adventist Church since 1984, and since 2013, it has also hosted services for Saint Paul's Congregation, part of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission. In addition to its religious functions, Betel Church houses one of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in Turku, KASVIS-ravintola, which serves a popular organic and locally sourced buffet with vegan options.

Despite its modest presence, Betel Church stands out as one of Finland’s noted cultural heritage buildings, representing an intriguing blend of Art Nouveau and functionalism.