The diameter of the church town according to the Land Registry is about 20 km. At its centre is an area called Kirkkoketo.
The development of the church town and Kirkkoketo to its current location started with the decree on the location of the church. The first church was built in 1686 in Torangintaipale, less than 3 km away from the current church. A church, which was the second church in Kuusamo, was built on the current site in 1694. A third church was completed on the same site in 1800. There was a separate belltower in its immediate vicinity.
In the 1790s, the new estates of Vaarala, or Kela and Leskelä, were established near the church.
The development of Kirkkoketo only accelerated in the 19th century, when officials and businesses that lived in different parts moved to this area.
Even at the beginning of the 20th century, Kirkkoketo was enjoyed by a few mantal houses. In addition to these, 36 cottage dwellers had settled in the area. By the beginning of the 1940s, the population of the area had grown to nearly 1 000 people.