Finnish Churches in North America - Ontario

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Cobalt - Suomi Synod
Founded in 1912. A church building was erected in 1913. Joined Suomi Synod Jul 26, 1914. Dissolved about 1921. The church building was sold in 1923.
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 225-228 & 234]

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Archival Sources:
Finnish-American Historical Archives, Hancock

Copper Cliff - Suomi Synod
Copper Cliffin Pyhän Timoteuksen seurakunta (1962-)
Copper Cliffin Suomalainen Evankelis-Luterilainen Wuoristo-seurakunta (1897-1962)
Founded Sep 12, 1897. Meetings were held in a hall owned by the temperance society "Oikeuden Ohje". A church building was erected in 1908 at 12 Poplar Street (now 12 Collins Drive). The church joined the United Lutheran Church in America (ULCA) in 1931. A chapel church was built in Beaver Lake in 1972.
Preachers:
J. J. Hoikka (1897-1901)
John Wargelin (1906-1907)
Jacob Mänttä (1908-1909)
John Wargelin (1911-1912)
Matti Luttinen (1914-1915)
Otto E. Mäki (1915-)
Rafael Hartman (1916-1917)
Antti Karhu (-1922)
Anton Korhonen (1926-)
Frans J. Koski
Viljo J. Hänninen (-1936)
Edwin Kyllönen
Frans J. Koski (-1943)
Lauri T. Pikkusaari (1943-1958)
Juha Ojanto
Lauri T. Pikkusaari
Häkkinen
Pentti K. Murto
Yrjö Raivio (1970-)
Church Records:
Pääkirja (membership records, communion book): 1907-1930
Historiakirjat (births, marriages, deaths, moved out): reliable from 1930.
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 214-223, 233, 235-236, 239, 248-254 & 344]

Literature:

• Lauri T. Pikkusaari: Copper Cliffin suomalaiset ja Copper Cliffin suomalainen evankelis-luterilainen Wuoristo-seurakunta (1948).
• Juhla-julkaisu Copper Cliffin Wuoristo ev. lut. seurakunnan 40-vuotisjuhlille 1897-1938.
• Wuoristo-St. Timothy's Lutheran Church, Copper Cliff Ontario. 100 years 1897-1997. (1997, Central Printers, Sudbury, Ontario).

Copper Cliff - Presbyterian
The activities started in 1913 and the church was founded Jan 16, 1914. There was a church building "Franssin kirkko" (one church member was Tuomas J. Franssi with family) at Balsam Street where the dairy is now.
Preachers:
Arvi I. Heinonen (1913-)
Julius E. Laurila (1919, visiting)
Juho Yrttimaa (visiting)
Felix Mayblom (1929-)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 221-222 & 310-311]

Elliot Lake
Suomalainen yhdistynyt kirkko ?
Preachers:
Walfrid A. Leeman (abt. 1960)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 312]

Fort William - National
Was working 1955-1956.
Pastors:
Orvile Aho (1947-)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 316-317]

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Evankelis-Luterilainen Kansallisseurakunta
Founded in 1897. A meeting room was built in cooperation with the temperance society, but was later lost to the socialists. A church was built in 1900, but the church was lost to the Laestadians. A new meeting room was finished in 1902 and sold in 1910, and a new church was finished on the opposite side of the town in 1911. Joined the Finnish National Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1908. 56 members in 1949.
Pastors:
Orville Aho (1947-)
[Source: Kansalliskirkko 1949, p. 354-355]

Gorham - National
Was working 1939 (?).
Pastors:
J. E. Nopola (visiting)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 318]

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Lappe = Gorham
[Source: Kansalliskirkko 1949, p. 356]

Haileybury - Presbyterian
The church got a church building in 1914.
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 311]

Kaministiquia - National
A preaching place
Pastors:
J. W. Sippola (-1949)
[Source: Kansalliskirkko 1949, p. 356]

Kirkland Lake
Founded Sep 10, 1933. A church building was finished in 1937.
Pastors:
E. A. Kyllönen (1933-)
Martin Halinen
Frans J. Koski
Arnold Stadius (1940-1941)
Frans I. Korila (1959-1970)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 264-267]

Archival Sources:
Finnish-American Historical Archives, Hancock

Kirkland Lake
Suomalainen yhdistynyt kirkko
Founded (?) after1928.
Preachers:
Elma S. Hjelt (1931?-)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 312]

Kirkland Lake
Finnish Lutheran Church
[Source: http://www.elcic.ca/synods.html / Mar 12, 2000]

Lappe - National
Was working 1955-1956.
Pastors:
Orvile Aho (1947-)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 317]

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Lappe = Gorham
Belonged to the congregation in Port Arthur even if the congregation had officers of their own. A church was built. Separated in 1936 from Port Arthur and joined the Finnish National Evangelical Lutheran Church. 70 members in 1949.
[Source: Kansalliskirkko 1949, p. 355-356]

Leeper - National
Was working 1939 (?).
Pastors:
J. E. Nopola (visiting)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 318]

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Founded in 1906 and joined the Finnish National Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1908. Joined with the congregation in Nolalu in 1940.
[Source: Kansalliskirkko 1949, p. 355]

Louise township - Presbyterian
A church building was taken into use in 1916 and parsonage in 1916.
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 311]

Nipigon - National
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Founded in 1952. Was working 1955-1956.
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 317]

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A preaching place
[Source: Kansalliskirkko 1949, p. 356]

Nolalu - National
Was working 1939 (?) and 1955-1956.
Pastors:
R. W. Heikkinen (?-1947-)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 317-318]

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Founded in 1906 and joined the Finnish National Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1908. Joined with the congregation in Leeper in 1940, when a church building was finished. 90 members in 1949.
[Source: Kansalliskirkko 1949, p. 355]

Port Arthur - Independent
Itsenäinen Suomalainen seurakunta
Founded Dec 15, 1951. A church building was bought at 70 Secord Street, at the corner of Secord Street and Dufferin Street.
Pastors:
Tauno Pyykkö (1952-1954)
Martti Kaipainen (1956-)
Frans Koski
Esa Kallio
Paavo Hautala
Reino Rajaniemi
Matti Untamala
Aslak Kettunen (-1975-)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 286, 288-292]

Port Arthur-Fort William - Apostolic ("Heideman")
Preachers:
Tapani Ojalehto (1927-1931)
[Source: Saarnivaara 1947, p. 292 & 331]

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Was working in 1951. Had a church building at Van Horne Street. No permanent pastors.
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 287 & 305-307]

Port Arthur - Baptist
Was working in 1951.
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 287]

Port Arthur - National
Founded in 1897. A church building was erected in 1898, which was used for the last time in 1934. Joined the National Church [Amerikan Suomalainen Evankelis-Luterilainen Kansalliskirkko] in 1908. A new church building was taken into use 1934. In 1957 the church lost a lot of money because of fighting and the church dissolved.
Pastors:
F. E. Öhde
J. Bäck (visiting)
H. Sarvela (visiting)
Juho H. Heimonen (1900-1909)
Pietari Wuori
John Urpilainen
Jacob Hirvi (1916-1932)
J. E. Nopola (1932-)
Matti E. Westerback
R. W. Heikkinen (1943-)
J. W. Sippola
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 285, 287, 292-294 & 316-317]

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Evankelis-Luterilainen Kansallisseurakunta
Church activities already about 1890. Founded in 1897. A church was built in 1898 and a new one in 1934. A parsonage was built in 1942. Joined the Finnish National Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1908. 441 members in 1949.
Pastors:
F. Öhde (1897-)
J. H. Heimonen (1900-)
P. Wuori (1909-1914)
J. Urpilainen (1914-)
J. Hirvi (1916-1932)
Jalo E. Nopola (1932-1938)
Matti N. Westerback
Jalo E. Nopola (-1943)
R. W. Heikkinen (1943-1948)
Orville Aho
J. W. Sippola (1949-)
[Source: Kansalliskirkko 1949, p. 353]

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Literature:
R. W. Heikkinen: 50 vuotta. 1947.

Port Arthur
Suomalainen yhdistynyt kirkko ?
Preachers:
Koponen (abt. 1960)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 312]

Port Arthur - Suomi Synod
Siion-seurakunta
Founded Oct 27, 1957. The work to build a church started in 1958 and was finished in 1962 at 256 Farrand Street. Joined the Suomi Synod in 1959. The language of the church is English and German, but the church is still in the records of the Suomi Synod.
Pastors:
Henry Aukee (-1962)
Oliver Repo
Tauno W. Järvinen
Richard Smith (-1975-)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 292-294]

Sault Ste Marie - Suomi Synod
Soon Suomalainen Ewankelis-Luterilainen Marian seurakunta
Founded Nov 29, 1905. Joined Suomi Synod Jan 18, 1906. The church joined the United Lutheran Church in America (ULCA) in 1931. A church building was erected when Peltonen was the pastor.
Preachers (visiting):
John Wargelin (1906-1907)
Jacob Mänttä (1907-1909)
John Wargelin (1912-)
Abe Salminen
Otto Stadius
Matti Luttinen (1913-1921)
(living in Soo):
Frank A. Peltonen (1932-)
Martin Halinen
Arnold Stadius
Arvi Henry Saarisuu (-1942)
Sakari Halkola (-1944)
Vilho Paananen (1947-1952)
Toivo A. Häkkinen (1955-1958)
Martti Ahonen (1958-1960)
Oliver Repo
Pellervo Heinilä
Kari Valanne
Frans I. Korila (1969-1973)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 223-225, 239 & 245-247]

Sault Ste Marie - Pentecostal
Betania-seurakunta
Founded Jul 29, 1939. A meeting room at Wellington West was rented. A church was bought at Albert Street West in 1946. A new church in the same place as the old one was erected in 1958.
Preachers:
Voitto Salmi
Otto Kasurinen
Anna Pönni
Aino Koistinen (1951-)
Rudolph Worlin
Kusti Lähde
Jorma Alopaeus (1959- (12 years))
Pentti Leppänen
John Sievänen (-1975-)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 332-334]

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Helluntaikirkko - Sault Ste Marie
Address:
891 Peoples Road, Sault Ste.Marie, Ontario P6C 3W1
Pastors:
Mikko Tervo
[Source: http://www.beacom.com/koti/yhteydet.html / Dec 26, 1999]

South Porcupine
Pyhän Johanneksen seurakunta
Founded when the combined church for Timmins and South Porcupine was divided in 1938. A church building was erected in 1939.
Pastors:
Lauri T. Pikkusaari (1938-1943)
Frans J. Koski (1946-1954-)
Pentti Murto
William E. Uotinen
Paavo Paananen
Jouko Paukkunen
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 262-264]

South Porcupine - Pentecostal
Founded in 1946. A meeting room at Main Street.
Preachers:
Selma Ylinen
Otto Itkonen
Esther Pekkonen (Mäkelä)
Aimo Selin (1966-)
Taimo Majalahti (1972-)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 332 & 339]

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Suomalainen helluntaiseurakunta - South Porcupine
Address:
199 Main Street, South Porcupine, Ontario P0N 1H0
[Source: http://www.beacom.com/koti/yhteydet.html / Dec 26, 1999]

Sudbury
Pyhän Matteuksen seurakunta
Founded in 1929. Meetings were held in Cedar Hall, then in Sampo Haali and then in a small chapel built by the church on Tedman Avenue. In 1942 a lot was bought in the corner of Bloor Street and MacKenzie Street. A church building was erected in 1949.
Pastors:
Viljo J. Hänninen (1929-1936)
Edwin Kyllönen
Matthew Nikolai Lepistö (1939-)
Johan Frederick Heino (-1946)
Armas R. Korhonen (1946-1960)
Niilo Tuomenoksa
Pellervo Heinilä
William Sumner
Markku Suokonautio
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 254-259]

Archival Sources:
Finnish-American Historical Archives, Hancock

Literature:

• Niilo Tuomenoksa: Taisteleva seurakunta. P. Matteuksen ev.-lut. seurakunnan 30-vuotisjulkaisu. Sudbury, s.a.

Sudbury
Suomalainen yhdistynyt kirkko
Founded in 1927. A church building at the corner of Antverpen Street and Jean Street was taken into use in 1930. It was destroyed by fire 1946.
Preachers:
Lauri Posila
Edwin A. Kyllönen
Elma S. Hjelt
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 259 & 311-312]

Sudbury - Pentecostal
Siion-seurakunta
A church was founded Feb 29, 1936. A church building was erected at Haig Street. In 1958 the former communist hall at Lorne Street was bought. A new church was erected in 1969.
Preachers:
Aino Koistinen (-1944)
Väinö Suokas
Eeva Kestilä
Selma Ylinen
Anna Pönni (-1952)
Veikko Kyllönen (1953- (10 years))
Matti Hämäläinen (1963-)
Eero Pyykkönen
Matti Hämäläinen
Aimo Selin
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 332-333]

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Sudburyn suomalainen helluntaiseurakunta
Finnish Pentecostal Church - Sudbury
Address:
1843 Paris Street, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 3C5
Pastors:
Samuel Tuokkola
[Source: http://www.beacom.com/koti/yhteydet.html / Dec 26, 1999]

Homepage:
http://www.vianet.on.ca/pages/siion/ / Dec 26, 1999

Thunder Bay - Apostolic
Working in 1975.
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 307]

Thunder Bay - Pentecostal
Helluntaiseurakunta Saalem
Founded May 3, 1933. A church building was built on Algoma Street in 1937. A new church building was erected on 21 Walkover Street in 1984.
Address:
21 Walkover Street, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 1L1
Pastors:
Juha Ketola (1997-)
Pentti Happonen
[Source: http://www.selglobal.on.ca/saalem/ / Dec 26, 1999]

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Port Arthur - Pentecostal
Saalem-seurakunta
Founded in 1933. A church on Algoma Street was taken into use in 1937.
Preachers:
Josefina Ollila
Toivo Pajala
Otto Pyykkönen
Pentti Leppänen
John Sievänen
Asko Kariluoto (-1975-)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 287 & 337-338]

Thunder Bay-Intola - National
Armo Luterilainen seurakunta
Founded abt. 1952.
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 317]

Timmins
Suomalainen yhdistynyt kirkko
Founded (?) after1928.
Preachers:
Elma S. Hjelt
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 312]

Timmins
Pyhän Markuksen seurakunta
Founded when the combined church for Timmins and South Porcupine was divided in 1938. A church building was erected in 1947.
Pastors:
Lauri T. Pikkusaari (1938-1943)
Frans J. Koski (1946-1954-)
Pentti Murto
William E. Uotinen
Paavo Paananen
Jouko Paukkunen
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 262-264]

Timmins - South Porcupine
South Porcupinen ja Timminsin yhteinen suomalainen luterilainen seurakunta
Founded Aug 1935.  The church was divided in 1938 in two churches, one in Timmins, the other in South Porcupine.
Pastors:
Arvid E. Kuitunen (1935-1936
Martin Halinen
Arvid E. Kuitunen (1936)
John F. Saarinen
Lauri T. Pikkusaari

[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 259-264]

Toronto - Apostolic ("Heideman")
[Source: Saarnivaara 1947, p. 331]

Toronto - Apostolic
Was working in 1975.
Address:
205 Highfield Road
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 307]

Toronto - Apostolic
Toronton suomalainen apostolis-luterilainen seurakunta
Was working in 1975.
Address:
All Souls Church, 15 Clairtrell Avenue
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 307]

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Toronto Apostolic Lutheran Church
Address:
70 Dickson Hill Road, Markham, ON L3P 3J3
[Source: http://www.apostolic-lutheran.org/churchlocater/roster2.htm / Dec 26, 1999]

Toronto - National
Hebron-seurakunta
Was working 1955-1956.
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 317]

Toronto - National
Bethlehem-seurakunta
Founded Dec 12, 1926.
Pastors:
Niemi
Vilenius
Uusitalo
Westerback
Heikkinen
Aho
Matti Wiskari (1946- (10 years))
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 317]

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Founded Dec. 12, 1926. Joined the Finnish National Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1927. No church building. 74 members in 1949.
Pastors:
A. Hassel
R. V. Niemi (1928-1929)
L. N. Wilenius (1930-)
B. A. Uusitalo (1932-1933)
A. Hassel (-1935)
M. N. Westerback
R. W. Heikkinen
J. E. Nopola
R. J. L. Aho
M. Wiskari (-1949-)
[Source: Kansalliskirkko 1949, p. 356-357]

Toronto - Pentecostal
Saalem-seurakunta
Founded Nov 19, 1930. An apartment at Augusta Avenue was used as meeting room followed by a new room at Spadina Avenue. The first own church was at Beverly Street and the next one in 1960 at Belmont Street. A new church was in 1974 erected at Bayview Avenue.
Preachers:
Matti Hämäläinen
Liida Myyrä
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 326-329 & 334]

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Toronton suomalainen helluntaiseurakunta
Finnish Pentecostal Church - Toronto
2570 Bayview Avenue, Willowdale, Ontario M2L 1B3
Pastors:
Aimo Selin
[Source: http://www.beacom.com/koti/yhteydet.html /Dec 26, 1999]

Toronto
Suomalainen Agricola-seurakunta
A church was founded Mar 25, 1931. The church took over the house owned by Toronto Finnish youth society. A new church building was erected in 1967.
Pastors:
Kalle Mäkinen (1930-)
John F. Saarinen (1931-1935)
Kyösti Toppila (1936-1958)
Lauri Torppa
Pentti K. Murto (1959-1963)
Leslie Lurvey
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 240-241 & 268-273]

Toronto
Yhdistynyt kirkko
Founded in 1906 as the first Finnish church in Toronto. Got a house from the temperance society Sarastus at Mitchell Avenue which was in use for 20 years. In 1925 when the Presbyterians, Methodists and Congregationalists united and formed the United Church of Canada the Finnish church moved to Queens Street West. A new church building, The Church of All Nations, was erected in 1927.
Pastors:
Matti Hirvonen (1910-1911)
J. Liljeberg
V. Kotila
Karl F. Hendrickson (1921-1923)
Reino Hiironen
Pasila
Wilhelm Leeman (1927-1932)
August Lappala (1932-1945)
George A. Koponen (1946-1960)
Reino Hepolehto
Preachers:
Adiel Saarimäki
John Heiskanen
Heinonen
Kinnunen
Ranta
Finne
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 269 & 307-310]

Windsor
Pyhän Markuksen seurakunta
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
Founded in 1929. A church was built when Paananen was in charge of the church. A church on Parkwood Avenue was built in 1958.
Pastors:
Alex Tamminen (1931-)
Emil J. Paananen (1935-1947, visiting)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 245 & 278]

Windsor - Pentecostal
Founded in 1968. In the beginning the Ukranian church building at Tecumseh Street was used and an own church building at Pierre Street was bought.
Preachers:
Lauri Tomminen (-1975-)
[Source: Raivio 1975, p. 342]

Wolf Siding - National
A preaching place
Pastors:
J. W. Sippola (-1949)
[Source: Kansalliskirkko 1949, p. 356]