Lightning-damaged Tampere Orthodox church still awaits dome repairs

Yle reports that the highest dome of Tampere Orthodox Church remains without its cross after a lightning strike caused a smouldering fire in July. The protected church, built in the late 19th century, is still showing marks from the emergency work.

The lightning struck the bell tower’s dome during a wedding ceremony. Firefighters had to cut open the dome to extinguish the fire in its wooden structures and remove the cross.

Aleksei Sjöberg, vicar of the Tampere Orthodox parish, said the repairs had been delayed because the work was demanding and few contractors carried out this type of repair.

The cost and method of the work will depend partly on whether the dome can be removed and taken to a workshop. The dome is covered in copper, which will also need to be replaced. The parish is currently seeking offers for the work.

Sjöberg said the delay had prompted residents to contact the parish, with some concerned about possible further damage. He said there was no immediate risk of water entering unsuitable parts of the building because the roof is below the dome. The parish had followed advice to leave the dome open.

The parish hopes repairs can begin during the autumn.

The July fire attracted considerable attention because it happened during a busy summer weekend in central Tampere, with a large amount of emergency equipment at the scene. The fire did not spread beyond the dome, although the lightning damaged the church’s alarm and electrical systems. Those systems were repaired soon after the incident.

The approximately three-metre cross removed from the dome was kept in the church entrance while awaiting transfer. Sjöberg said many people in Tampere had expressed concern for the church, adding that it was heartening to see how much the church meant to local residents.