Church of Saint Virgin Mary, Rakaw explained

Church of Saint Virgin Mary
Native Name:Касцёл Найсвяцейшай Дзевы Марыі Ружанцавай
Native Name Lang:be
Coordinates:53.9656°N 27.0559°W
Location:Rakaw
Country:Belarus
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Religious Order:-->
Diocese:Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Minsk–Mohilev
Style:Gothic Revival architecture
Years Built:1904—1906

The Church of Saint Virgin Mary in Rakaw is a Catholic church in Minsk Region, Belarus. It was constructed between 1904 and 1906 on the bank of the Islach river and consecrated in the name of Our Lady of the Rosary. The church is listed as a Belarusian Cultural Heritage object.

The Catholic parish in Rakaw was established in 1676, and the first wooden church was built then. In ten years it became a part of the Dominican monastery. The church was destroyed by fire in 1712 and 1812, but restored both times. In 1835 the monastery was closed and the church became a parish.

Between 1904 and 1906 the current Neo-Gothic stone church was constructed on the site of the former wooden one. The new church was made of yellow bricks and decorated with counterforts, peaked windows and arches, and a rose window in the main facade.

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