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Church of the Three Saints in Karachelskoe

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The first Church of the Three Saints in the village of Karachelskoe was likely built soon after the settlement was founded. The wooden church was consecrated in 1746, but in the late 1760s and early 1770s, it was dismantled and replaced with a new wooden church, consecrated on October 26, 1771. In 1817, the residents decided to build a stone church with an altar dedicated to the Vladimir Mother of God. The project was completed that same year, and construction lasted seven years. The stone church was consecrated on August 28, 1824.

Documents from the Orenburg archive provide insight into the church's appearance. The original refectory was smaller than the current one, with an extension to the north due to the altar of the Vladimir Mother of God. To understand how the church looked, one can compare it to the Church of Frol and Lavr in the village of Belojarsk.

In 1872, the church underwent significant reconstruction: the refectory was rebuilt while preserving the facade decor. The 19th-century bell tower ended up inside the new volume. The reconstruction led to the expansion of the refectory and the addition of a second altar, and by the end of the 19th century, the church had three altars: the Three Saints, the Vladimir Mother of God, and St. Demetrius of Thessalonica.

After the revolution, the church was closed and used as a warehouse. By the mid-20th century, it had fallen into disrepair, and in 1954, a fire occurred, destroying the roof and damaging the vaults. Research has shown that the building underwent two major construction phases: in the first third of the 19th century and in the last third of the 19th century. The third phase began after 1917, when the building ceased to be used for its intended purpose and fell into decline.

The architecture of the church reflects baroque motifs, especially in the decor of the crowning elements and facades. Although the baroque forms do not correspond to the Elizabethan baroque of the 18th century, they demonstrate the patrons' desire to preserve the image of a wooden church in the new stone constructions.

On August 30, 1960, the church was placed under protection, but no restoration was carried out. The monument was transferred to federal ownership and free use by a religious organization, allowing participation in the "Culture of Russia" program for restoration. The Ministry of Culture of Russia acts as the customer for the work.

In 2014, a restoration project was developed, selecting the last third of the 19th century as the main period. The project includes the restoration of internal walls, ceilings, staircases, vaults, floors, iconostasis, and facades. At the end of 2014, a contractor was selected, who began preparatory work. The deadline for completion is November 2015. The project brings together specialists from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Bashkortostan, with oversight by the Culture Department of the Kurgan Region.

The restored church on the banks of the Miass River will become one of the oldest and most beautiful in the region, attracting pilgrims. However, it is important not only to complete the restoration but also to integrate the church into the life of the local community, including it in tourist routes and educational projects, which will allow cultural heritage to contribute to the development of the area.

Geo point

Церковь Трех Святителей в Карачельском

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