Religion is a large part of the culture here, and many of the churches built 150 or more years ago are not heated. They were not built with heat, and since they are now considered historic buildings, heat cannot be added. If it can be added it is often too expensive. Additionally, there are no windows on the churches and they stay locked all week except for Sundays. There is no chance for the buildings to warm up, so they stay freezing cold. These cold environments can be especially challenging for babies and the elderly.
There are two ways that people have been adapting to the cold church environments. First, people dress warmly. In the United States it is considered disrespectful to have a hat on in church. Here, it is accepted without question, because of the cold. Everyone (including the priest) wears winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves to church. Another way that people adapt is to stand outside for church. On some days, it is warmer to stand outside for church than to be in the building!
