ABOUT US
Anders Chydenius (1729–1803) was a vicar, politician and a pioneer of freedom of expression, economic liberalism and human rights. He served in the Riksdag and advocated freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and economic freedom, long before his contemporaries. Chydenius is regarded as a forerunner of Nordic democracy and an important inspiration for openness and equality in society.
Anders Chydenius served as a priest and chaplain in Nedervetil from 1753 to 1770 and made important contributions to the reclamation of marshland, the introduction of new breeds of animals and plants, and the application of new cultivation methods.
He also practised medicine, inoculated people against smallpox, prepared medicines and performed eye operations. He is best known, however, for his work in the Riksdag in Stockholm in 1765–66, where he demanded the right to free foreign trade for the towns of Ostrobothnia and argued for economic freedom, equality and respect for human rights. He also helped to tighten oversight of the state finances and to expand freedom of the press.
Chydenius served as parish priest in Karleby from 1770 until his death in 1803. He lived in the stately parsonage built in 1736–37, which has been externally preserved in its original condition. There he concentrated on parish work but also took an interest in musical activities, for example by founding an orchestra that performed works by leading European composers. In 1778–79 and again in 1792 he returned to parliamentary work. He defended the rights of domestic servants, called for a free labour market, and in 1779 he initiated an ordinance on freedom of religion. In his writings he addressed agricultural development, the production of saltpetre and the promotion of settlement in Lapland.
The vicarage was built in 1736–1737 during the tenure of vicar Karl Gustaf Werander, and it was called the Kvikant vicarage. It became considerably larger than the size prescribed by law.
In addition to a kitchen, the vicarage featured end chambers, a long chamber, and the bishop’s room, a large assembly hall intended for bigger gatherings. In 1773 Anders Chydenius had the house renovated: the building was boarded and painted red, and the windows were given their present size. The association intends to restore the building to its original form, including the large hall, which could be used for various gatherings, chamber music concerts, theatre performances, lectures, and family celebrations. In 2010 the parsonage and the adjacent church were classified by the Finnish Heritage Agency as nationally significant built cultural sites.
