Helme Püha Neitsi Maarja kirik

It is a pity that a large and dignified building only collapses

Kirikuküla, Helme, Valgamaa, 57.995388, 25.882070 57 ° 59 '43.40 ", 25 ° 52' 55.45" The first mention is dated 1383. At the beginning of the 17th century, during the warrior, the church was destroyed. The 1674th year dates information about the restoration of the church. During the Northern War, 13. 07. 1702, after the battle of Hummuli, the troops of Tsar Peter I set fire to the church of Helme. The consequences of the fire were devastating, even vaulted ceilings showered. In the 20s of the 18th century, the construction of the Maarja church began. Instead of vaulted ceilings, a regular wooden ceiling appeared; in addition, a wooden tower was added. In 1900, a bell was cast in Tallinn under the direction of C. Jurgens and Co. in Tallinn. The last altar was wooden and quite simple, the altar was built in the 80s of the 19th century. In 1944, during World War II, the tower of the Helme church was used by German and Russian troops. September 16, 1944, the church was destroyed by shells of the red army. On September 21, one of the German shells fell on the church. The shell exploded in the place where the organ was. On September 4, a tower fell, the roof collapsed, and one of the walls collapsed. From this time, only ruins remained from the church, the church was no longer restored.