Church history
16th – 19th Century. The first building of Baldone Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Michael was built from wood around the 1560s to 1570s. In 1637, it had already partially collapsed and in 1638 a new wooden church was built decorated with windows of coloured glass. In the wooden tower was a clock and on the ridge the symbol and year of the family of the Duke and Duchess Friedrich.
The third church building was built from logs, from 1730 to 1735. The fourth building of Baldone Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Michael, which has preserved to this day, was built from 1823 to 1824. The church is designed as an ampere one-floor hall with large semi-circular covered three-part windows and a multi-level tower.
The first half of the 20th century. In the 1920s and 1930s, the congregation was active and carried out an extensive church repair. In the free part of the church square was planted a memorial grove for the sons of the church who died in the World War I. 53 oak-trees were dedicated to the remembrance of soldiers-heroes. A linden tree planted next to each oak was a symbol of gratitude for soldiers’ mothers. In the grove was a boulder-rock altar to light the flame of freedom. The altar has been preserved and is still used today.
Soviet time. In the Soviet time, in the church was opened one of the branches of rubber production association “Ausma” (founded in 1971, in Riga). Branches of production were in Suntaži and Baldone, while the main building was in Riga. Rubber production association “Ausma” specialized in the production of toys and more than 40 different household articles – haberdashery, household goods, stationery, sports accessories, and the like. Inhabitants of Baldone remember that plastic hair rollers were the most popular product of its time.
Awakening time. Rebirth of the church began along with the rising of Latvian people during the third awakening in the 1980s. After a long time, the first church service took place on Christmas Eve 1988. Less than a year later, thanks to the church and state funds church could rebuild the tower that had been destroyed during the war and replaced the roof coverings. To collect funds for renewal the church held charity concerts; money was also obtained from property sales, and donations from congregations of sisters, many members of the church and young American adults.
The Church and its activities nowadays. Now it is possible to visit the renewed church premises to marvel the large windows and beautiful organ that was brought in in 2009 from a private collection in Austria. The church is decorated with a magnificent altar, a unique pearl granite altar table (weight 1400 kg) donated by the congregation of Norway, and a baptismal font. The church is a national monument. At the church, there is Cemetery of German warriors who died during World War I and Cemetery of Soviet officers who died during the World War II.
The church runs a Christian scout group, a Sunday school, an Alpha course and holds prayer evenings. Church service is held every Sunday at 2 p.m. Every year on 11th of November – Lāčplēsis Day, the people of Baldone gather in a torch walk, which ends at a fire in the church’s memorial grove.
Church service – every Sunday at 2 p.m.
Sunday School – during church service
Young scout classes – on Sundays at 10 a.m.
Scout classes – on Thursdays at 6.30 p.m.
To visit the church, please contact in advance by writing to the indicated e-mail or by calling.
Contact information:
Rīgas iela 40, Baldone, LV - 2125
info@baldonesbaznica.lv
www.baldonesbaznica.lv
+371 29231154 (Head of the congregation – Aivars Mirkšs)
www.baldone.lv