Usma Church Turns 90: Congregation's Building Was Once Almost Moved Elsewhere
The small Usma congregation in Renda parish, Latvia, has marked 90 years since its church was built. The building's history is eventful: the earlier church was moved to a museum, and the current one was narrowly saved from relocation in the 1930s.
The small Usma congregation in Renda parish, Latvia, has this year celebrated the 90th anniversary of its church. The history of its houses of worship has been full of adventure, as both the present church and its predecessor have been so attractive that others wanted them for themselves.
The oldest church ended up in a museum
The Usma congregation's church, built in the early 18th century, was transported to the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum. It no longer stands in its original location.
The new church nearly shared the same fate
A new church was donated to the congregation to take the old building's place. In the 1930s there were plans to move this one elsewhere too, but it was saved at the very last moment. This is the church that marked its 90th anniversary this year.
The story of the Usma congregation shows that even small rural churches can attract the interest of others, and that the local church has remained where it stands.
