Keski-Pori church repairs delayed as costs soar

The repair of Keski-Pori church’s crumbling facade has been postponed after bids came in at more than 2.3 million euros, far exceeding the 830,000 euros budgeted, Yle reports.

The 160-year-old church’s original bricks and mortar, particularly in the tower, have deteriorated due to weather exposure. Small pieces of brick and mortar have fallen, but property manager Arto Huhtanen of the Pori parish union says protective measures are in place and there is no danger to visitors.

The parish will re-tender the work and aims to secure a lower price. A decision on the next steps is expected in autumn, with repairs possibly starting next year. The last major renovation was in 1994, focusing on interior spaces. The church, located by the Kokemäenjoki river, is a protected building and part of a nationally significant cultural environment.