Saint Nicholas church

Saint Nicholas Church is a wooden church standing near the western shore of the White Sea, built with a square main structure topped by a double-pitched roof. A traditional bell tower stands as a separate structure, completing the religious complex.

The church was built in 1705 and served the local community until its closure in 1960 during the Soviet period. The building then faced decades of neglect and decay.

The church displays traditional northern Russian woodworking through its log structure and carved wooden details visible throughout. These handcrafted elements reveal the building skills that local artisans brought to religious construction.

Getting to the church requires traveling by train from Moscow to Murmansk, then continuing by local transport to the village of Kovda. The remote location means visitors should plan ahead, as regular transport connections are limited.

Photographer William Craft Brumfield documented the church from its northeastern angle in 2001, with these images now part of the Library of Congress collection. This photographic record offers a rare glimpse into how the structure appeared at the start of the 21st century.

Location: Kovda

Location: Kandalakshsky District

GPS coordinates: 66.69233,32.86139

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:23