Heikki Arantola, A Builder Priest

Rector and social counselor Heikki Arantola died on May 27, 2026, in Harjavalta at the age of 93. Born in Sotkamo in 1933, Arantola was ordained as a priest in 1962, the same year he married architect Hannele Seppä.

Arantola began his career as a priest in the Maaria parish of Turku before becoming the rector of the Jyväskylä Christian Institute from 1964 to 1971. His most significant contribution was as the director of the Finnish Church Missionary Society in Helsinki from 1972 to 1996. During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of the Raamattutalo (Bible House), Koivuranta elderly village, and Törmälä course center in Pieksämäki, as well as buildings at the Levin Atrinmaja camp center.

He was known as a "builder priest," not only for physical structures but also for developing new lines at the Diaconia and Educator Institute, including deacon training and programs for the developmentally disabled and social educators. The Tyynelä training center was established for the church's diaconal substance abuse training. The society's work was strongly guided by a commitment to supporting the less fortunate.

Arantola was also a builder in his personal life, cherishing his summer cottage on the shore of Konnevesi. As a son of a farmer, he was constantly engaged in practical tasks, from repairing roofs to managing forests. He was remembered by his family as an active individual who followed daily events closely, possessing a remarkable memory for historical and personal events. His wife Hannele's death over two years prior significantly impacted his well-being. He was a trusted figure for his family, officiating baptisms and weddings, and passed away peacefully in his faith.