Lihula church reconstruction

The Lihula Church of St. Alexander Nevsky project is part of the Lihula Main Street architectural project. The church is located along the main street and aligns with the urban layout, oriented more in a northwest-southeast direction. The church was designed by architect K. Nyman and consecrated in 1889. In 1962, the congregation was disbanded, and since then, the church has gradually fallen into ruin. 

The church's granite walls, lined with clay bricks on the interior and originally covered with plaster, have survived. Over time, the walls have been exposed to weather conditions, which have stripped away much of the plaster layer. The red clay bricks have deteriorated, revealing the dignified granite walls underneath.

The conservation approach focuses on simplicity: everything that remains is preserved. The tops of the walls will be reinforced with discreet concrete capping to slow further deterioration. Loose clay bricks will be stabilized or removed if necessary. These removed bricks, along with granite, will be displayed between the walls. Existing openings will remain intact and fixed in their current positions.

From our first encounter, we were inspired by the spontaneous secret garden that had developed inside the roofless church. Trees growing within the church hall have created a seasonal canopy that gently sways in the wind, providing shade and a natural roof. Our aim is to preserve the atmosphere created by this unique interplay of human and natural elements: the impermanence of human creation, the power of nature, and the dynamic relationship between living flora and static stone.

We will add little and do so delicately: leaning benches will be installed in the wall openings where wooden floor beams once existed, marking the original floor level of the building. A glass partition is planned for the location of the former iconostasis, separating the altar space from the rest of the interior. The altar space, partially covered by a remaining roof, will be restored to its original extent. This weather-protected area will extend the usability of the indoor-outdoor space and prolong its seasonal functionality.