Matti Åkerblom (né Pärnä; 18 July 1740, Eräjärvi — 10 June 1819, Orivesi) was a notable Finnish church designer and builder of the late 18th century, who also held the office of the regional master builder of the Province of Tavastia.[1][2]

Halikko bell tower, Åkerblom's 1773 master work

Åkerblom first worked as a farm hand, but later decided to train as a carpenter, learning his trade under Antti Piimänen.[2] His training took unusually long, with the apprenticeship and journeymanship stages each lasting five years, before he completed his master work, the bell tower of Halikko Church, in 1773.[3] The master work had not been sanctioned by the guild, but when completed it was nevertheless approved, thus gaining Åkerblom his mastership.[2]

Notable churches built by Åkerblom include Nurmijärvi church, Pihlajavesi Old Church, Angelniemi Church (completed a year before Åkerblom's master status), Kuorevesi Church and Kuru Church, among others: in total, Åkerblom is known to have designed and built at least ten churches and five bell towers.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Åkerblom, Matti (1740-1819)". Kansallisbiografia.fi (in Finnish). National Biography of Finland. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "ÅKERBLOM, Matti". BLF.fi (in Swedish). Biografiska Lexikon för Finland. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  3. ↑ "Matti Åkerblom, kirkonrakentaja". Museo20.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 10 April 2021.
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