Home
About us
History of the Deaconess Foundation

Our history

The Deaconess Foundation was founded in 1867 as an infectious disease hospital and a place where young women were trained as deaconesses. Today, we provide a wide range of social and health services.

Ryhmänaisia ulkona, suurin osa pukeutuneina diakonissalaitoksen asuihin ja päähineisiin, kävelemässä ja keskustelemassa.

Sister Olga Rantala on a home visit in the 1910s.

Deaconess Foundation

Finland’s oldest private social and health care provider

Finland’s first Deaconess Foundation has been operating for nearly 160 years. The initiative to establish it was made by Aurora Karamzin. The model for the operation was the German Kaiserswerth Deaconess Institute, which had spread widely throughout Europe and the Nordic countries.

The work that began with the infectious disease hospital and early social services expanded in the 1900s and 2000s, and now we focus on services for special groups. Our operations are developed in line with societal changes.

We have been and still are…

Creative Innovator

The Deaconess Foundation was established when there was a famine and epidemics were spreading in Finland. Since then, numerous new needs for assistance have emerged. The Deaconess Foundation has sought solutions to these, developed, and adapted its operations to meet the current needs and challenges.

Expert

The deaconesses were the first trained social and healthcare professionals in Finland. The hospital doctors were among the best in their field. As the activities changed, the areas of expertise have changed.

Defender of Human Dignity

The Deaconess Foundation was founded so that deaconesses could help those in the weakest position. They were also seen as worthy of help. In our work, we still defend human dignity. We respect diversity and meet people as equals.

The Sisters’ Home was a growth community

In accordance with the model of the German Kaiserswerth Deaconess Institute, founded in 1836, the Helsinki Deaconess Foundation was a Sisters’ Home and a hospital.

Aurora Karamzin

The initiative to establish the Deaconess Foundation in 1867 was taken by Aurora Karamzin (1808–1902). She was a courageous influencer during her lifetime and cared in many ways for those in the weakest positions, especially supporting girls’ education.

History in a versatile way

Our long history has been recorded in collections, ownership includes old valuable buildings related to the activities, and the history is told comprehensively through exhibitions and guided tours. This brings the past vividly into the present. What we have been has formed what we are now.

Kuva diakonissalaitoksen näyttelystä, jossa näkyy esinekaappi punaisella taustalla, seinälle ripustettuja valokuvia ja sinisellä seinällä näyttöruutu sekä tekstejä.

Exhibitions

In the Main Building of the Alppikatu block, the exhibition “Neighborly Love” is on display. Additionally, there are changing exhibitions in the Church Corridor.

Ilmakuva Diakonissalaitoksen Alppikadun korttelista, jossa näkyy punatiilisiä rakennuksia ja vehreää ympäröivää kaupunkialuetta.

Valuable buildings

The oldest buildings in Helsinki’s Alppikatu block are protected. Renowned architects have left their marks on the block.

Vanha taskukello puisessa telineessä, jossa kellonajan osoittaa noin kello 15.30.

Collections

Most of the object and photograph collections are from the time of Sisters’ home (1867–1959) and the hospital. Some have been obtained through wills and donations.