>>512452307
>85 years ago today, on August 6, 1940: Hitler’s ally Stalin formally annexed Estonia, following the Soviet invasion on June 17.
>>512452360
>>512452409

In 1945, the church was converted into a hay storage base under Soviet military guard. The congregation, which was no longer allowed near the church, was forcibly dissolved in April 1948. Within a few years, the sanctuary was completely ransacked. The Russian military burned the pulpit and pews, and the organ was destroyed. In hopes of gaining firewood, even the burial chambers were broken open.
https://x.com/EerikNKross/status/1953177536797532235

Between 1958 and 1961, Villem Raam — the legendary scholar of Gothic architecture, newly returned from 15 years in the GULAG — succeeded in having a new roof built, saving the church’s walls and medieval vaulted ceilings.