Abandoned Photography & Writing Contest. Old church made of wood

My post for the Abandoned Photography & Writing Contest

RETURN TO THE PAST OR TIME STOPPED IN THE PHOTO

Today we will talk about how one day we wanted to restore a church in one village. The fact is that it was the only wooden church in our region that remained intact with its log cabin and other superstructures. Everything was made of wood, except for the wrought iron bars. I immediately liked the church itself - it was small, compactly built of wooden logs. Although the interior space was quite spacious. The main entrance was through the bell tower, which is already unusual. Then we found ourselves in a corridor-type room, which led to a spacious hall for praying parishioners. Further, the altar part of the church was guessed, which completed this wonderful structure. Even in this dilapidated building, it was cool inside in the summer heat, as if the air conditioner was working there. It was amazing.

For a long time we coordinated with the authorities, one thing or another. But they could not get permission to restore the church, they (the party workers of that time who were still at the leadership) did not want the church to start working again here in the village. The foundations of atheism and theomachy were firmly embedded in their minds. Although everyone saw perfectly well that the building was crumbling before our eyes day by day - and how much longer will it stand in this state? Nobody knew that, of course? The once well-built church building survived the village club in it, then some services were there, but left this building. Then it was adapted for a grain warehouse, but in the end this topic ended. Then some bad personalities began to gather in it, burned fires, drank vodka. Gradually, the building of the most expensive content for the soul of every peasant turned into a barn!

My partners and I, looking at this abandoned holy place, wanted to revive it from the abyss into which those whose ancestors built it, went to pray, celebrated church holidays all together, with the whole village. And now what - the people, what have become different? Not! People are the same, the same villagers with their cares, joys and aspirations. The only question is where? This is where they will all go after they destroyed everything that their own fathers and grandfathers built? And mothers went and prayed for their sons and daughters, so that they would be safe and sound, enjoy life, and wish to find happiness. And in response now for the inhabitants of this village - problems in everything, a drop in living standards, anxiety for the future. All this happens because there is no faith now among the people, there is no striving for the light. All are now covered with haze, where there is hopelessness in every day that comes.

But no one living today thinks about it. that the destruction began in their village with this church. Well, and then in the heads of everyone. And what is the result? And in the end, as always and everywhere. Our restoration was refused, because the “people” in the village did not want their church to start working again. But I well understood that the communists did not want to back down and admit that this leadership was destroying churches and monasteries in Russia. And the place there is wonderful - the church stands on the highest place, nearby are small mountains, a forest and a river. Picturesque, beautiful and somehow even peaceful when you are near the temple. Somehow it’s even easier to breathe. We came several times, offered to restore the church at our own expense, so as not to lose this unique structure forever from destruction.

Well, in the end - everything is with us, as always. One fine day - this unique wooden church burned down! I do not know for what reasons - maybe someone set it on fire, or maybe, as the villagers say, lightning struck her? But the fact remains - the temple burned down, only one foundation of natural stone remained, which was built by craftsmen using a unique technology on a lime solution. Maybe now someone will take up the revival of this holy and prayed place? But now everything must be started from the beginning, and the foundation will also have to be checked after the fire. I have never seen similar wooden churches here in the South Urals. I think this was the only one left over from pre-revolutionary times. There are many temples, churches, and chapels being built today, but there are no similar ones in this style, and there are no wood. Yes, and will there be? Nowadays they are building stone churches, more and more of bricks ... so that it is more reliable, apparently? So, this church is now preserved only in my photographs. Such is the story.

The quality of the photos is poor - the photos are old and made on a film camera.

(Translated via Google translator from Russian)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
-original photo;
-first publication;
-camera Zenit-E.