Lumivaara (translated from Finnish as "snowy mountain") is a small Karelian settlement in the Lahdenpohja district. Until the 1940s, this territory belonged to Finland. The church, standing on Rokkapata Hill (about 500 meters from the settlement), was built with funds from the Finnish community. The first project author (in 1922) was architect Erkki Väänänen. After his death, the drawings were refined by his wife, architect Elsa Arokallio. Due to lack of funding, the project was postponed, and construction of the church began in the 1930s. Architect Ilmari Launis made adjustments to the project, and in 1935 the church was built, designed to accommodate 720 people.
When the Winter War began (in 1939), the church was closed forever. A cemetery formed nearby, where residents of the settlement and fallen Finnish soldiers were buried.
As a result of the Second World War, Lumivaara became part of the USSR. In Soviet times, the church was used as a warehouse for storing grain. There are plans to restore the church.
The church is a tall brick basilica-style building with an octagonal 30-meter bell tower. Above the entrance, a painting is visible—two angels kneeling at the Cross and the inscription: "In you is the source of life." Above, on a small plaque, the year of the church's construction is engraved—1935.
The interior of the church is impressive. A light-filled, tall three-level hall. The altar painting depicting Christ, painted by Ilmari and Seppo Launis, has been preserved. Below it is the inscription: "Tämä on Minun rakas poikani kuulkaa häntä"—"This is My beloved Son, listen to Him." On the walls are frescoes, on the choir railings—sayings from the Bible (all quotes in Finnish), as well as images and names of the apostles, executed by Emil Ruokolainen. Next to the altar is the church cross removed from the church spire. The bell, cast in Tampere in 1934, has been preserved (in the bell tower, accessible by a spiral wooden staircase).
In winter, the church is clearly visible from afar, but in summer it is obscured by tall deciduous trees. If you do not know about the existence of the church, it is easy to miss. Therefore, if you have already reached the settlement and have not found the attraction, you should go back a little.
Sources:
@lenbro8 - Instagram
https://ru.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%B8%D1%80%D1%85%D0%B0_%D0%B2_%D0%9B%D1%83%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0
