This could be a new Finnish Canadian landmark in Toronto

The Finnish scene in Toronto may still get a modern building for multi-purpose use, if the ideas put forward by the owners of the Suomi-talo (House of Finland) in Main Street will become reality.

Suomi-talo is for sale and the owners are confident that the deal will bring in funding for a new Suomi-talo somewhere else. At this time they hope to be able to join forces with the Agricola Lutheran Congregation. The General Meeting of the Congregation heard a briefing by the chairman of Suomi-talo Kauko Leppälä and architect Seppo Kanerva on Sunday, February 22nd, 2009. The ideas were met with public enthusiasm, but many questions remained. The congregation wants to continue the exchange of ideas though.

The church, built in the 1960s, would be replaced with a modern building combining housing and public function space, including a major auditorium that would serve both the congregation and other users.

Within five to ten years the congregation would face a major financial crisis due to aging membership and would probably have to give up the building anyway. According to the rules enacted in the 1960s the church building would then be given to the Eastern Synod of the Church (ELCIC).

The promoters of the new Suomi-talo say that their plan would keep the property in Finnish hands and in the service of the Finnish scene in Toronto. At the same time the congregation would be able to use the building as long as there are members requesting its services.

The apartments would be available on a life long lease basis. Thus, the owners of the property would be able to see to it that Finnish Canadians would be given preference in allocating apartments. That would not be the case in the condo format. If there is not enough Finnish Canadian interest other nationalities would be admitted.

If the Agricola congregation says no to the idea, the promoters would go further north and purchase another site for the building. In comparison with going further north, the Agricola site would be closer to downtown and offer also excellent public transport.

In its editorial (Feb 26) Vapaa Sana voiced optimism about the plan. The paper notes that much depends on how the congregation sees its role. If it sees itself primarily as a Finnish organization, the construction plan would be ideal. If, on the other hand, it defines religion as its primary role, irrespective of language, handing the property over to the Synod would be a natural solution. After all, there is nothing particularly Finnish in the doctrine of Christianity. But during the whole of its operations the Agricola church compound has been a center for various Finnish activities, even fairly detached from religious life. For example the Finnish Credit Union (Osuuspankki) has arranged its Annual General Meetings on the premises.

Co-operation has been difficult

Over the decades there have been attempts at creating something that would serve the whole scene. The political and generational divisions on the Finnish scene were formidable, however, and properties that could have been saved and developed together, were lost. There were also plans to build or purchase a house in a good location to serve Finnish societies, businesses and even the consulate general, but they did not proceed beyond planning stages and fund raising campaigns.

The largest Finnish property and one in a good location was the Finnish Organization- owned Don Hall in Broadview (opposite the Eesti Maja). As attempts to find a joint Finnish solution failed the hall was sold in the early 80s.
Until 2002 the Finnish Social Club owned and operated its hall in Scarborough (Manville Street), but decided then to close down. Since then Finnish activities have been arranged at the Agricola church and in the Finnish Seniors’ Home on Eglinton Avenue East

Published in Vapaa Sana issue 9, on Feb 26, 2009