Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, église de Russie du nord
The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Kargopol is a five-domed white stone structure built from 1678 to 1682, featuring a cross-shaped plan with two side altars and a porch entry. A bell tower was added later in 1844, rising above the main structure and visible from a distance across the town.
Construction began in 1678 and was completed in 1682, financed by local merchants on Kargopol's old trading square. The building was briefly closed during Soviet times but reopened at Easter in 1945 and has remained in continuous use as a place of worship.
The church is named for the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and serves as a gathering place for the local community of Kargopol. During services and religious holidays, people come together here to pray and observe traditions that have shaped the region for centuries.
The building is easily accessible within Kargopol and located near other historic structures in the town. Visitors should come during service hours and show respect for the active place of worship when inside.
The church remained open throughout most of the Soviet era while many other religious buildings were shut down, making it a rare witness to continuous faith practices in the region. This persistence allowed its original interior decorations and religious objects to survive intact.
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