The Lutheran Cathedral, belonging to the Mikkeli Diocese of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland, is the main church of Kotka and has become the main architectural dominant of the central part of the city. Construction of Kotka’s main cathedral took only two years: it began in 1897 and was completed the following year, when it was also consecrated. The creator of the shrine was Finnish architect and engineer Josef Stenbeck, who had many wonderful churches, located in southeastern Finland. By the way, Stenbeck was the author of the largest church in the Karelian Isthmus in Primorsk for 1800 believers. It should be noted that Stenbeck built his first churches in the popular at the time Neo-Gothic style, later he shifted to Art Nouveau or Finnish National Romanticism. Kotka Lutheran Cathedral was a transitional stage in his creative work, embodying elements of both styles.

The Lutheran Cathedral, belonging to the Mikkeli Diocese of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland, is the main church of Kotka and has become the main architectural dominant of the central part of the city.
The new neo-gothic church, made of red brick, blends in quite harmoniously with the architectural appearance of the city. Like many Finnish temples, the church stands on an elevation, on a massive stone foundation, crowned by a 54-meter high steeple of a cross. At the same time in this church can accommodate more than 1,500 people.

Sights of the church
Near the church there are two monuments related to the history of Finland. In 1951 near the church was erected a monument to the fallen in the Soviet-Finnish war, and in 1962 here appeared a monument “Those who stayed in Karelia”. The monument, depicting an ordinary woman, reflects the regret of those who died in the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939-1940 and remained lying in the Karelian soil.

In 1998, to commemorate the centennial of the consecration of the church, an organ made in baroque style by the famous instrument maker Martti Portan was installed in the church. The model for the master was the organ from the German Freiberg Cathedral. Despite its young age, the organ of the church is recognized as one of the best in Finland.

Regular music concerts are held in the church, and at the end of November a full-fledged festival, the Week of Organ Music, is held.

The altarpiece “Adoration of the Magi”, depicting the infant Jesus, is painted by the Finnish artist, Professor Pekka Halonen. The majestic temple with its carved wooden interior is adorned with stained glass and rose windows. On one of the walls you can see the Ten Commandments adapted for children.