Laimjala Vassilius Suure kirik (Kahtla)

 temple, church, orthodox christianity, interesting place, listed building / architectural heritage, historical building, place of worship, 18th century construction, tourist attraction, Orthodox church

Laimjala Church was designed by Riga architect Heinrich Scheel according to a standard design. The Greek cross-shaped, plastered cross-domed church with five domes was completed in 1873. Veniamin (Karelin), Archbishop of Riga and Miitavi, consecrated it in honor of the Archbishop of Cappadocia, Basil the Great, on January 1 of the same year. The roofs and spires of the stone church are covered with tin. The first church built according to this standard design was completed in Leisi in 1872. The following year, nine more Orthodox churches built according to Heinrich Scheel's design were completed in Saaremaa. Most of them differed in details and volume. Orthodox churches could accommodate 150–300 people. A 32 m high bell tower was added to Laimjala Church in 1912 and the west wing of the building was extended. Today, the church is used by the Laimjala Vassilius Suure congregation of the Estonian Orthodox Church.