Here, rows of small, red buildings without windows stand – a total of around 150. These unique church stables were once used to provide shelter for horses during church services. Each household built its own stable, and the long, overhanging roofs provided space to store sleighs and carts under cover.

At that time, journeys to church could be long, and the sermons were often significantly longer than they are today. The church also served as a gathering place where news and gossip were exchanged, so visits could take quite some time. Having a personal stable for the horse to rest in while the owner was occupied was therefore practical.

The oldest preserved church stables date back to the late 18th century, and new stables continued to be built well into the 20th century. At its peak, nearly 400 stables surrounded the church. However, during the 1920s and 1930s, the stables became obsolete as bicycles and cars began to replace horse-drawn transport. The stables were often left empty, and some even suggested demolishing them as they were considered to spoil the surroundings. However, Närpes chose to preserve the church stables – a decision that has been greatly appreciated in hindsight.