Järvamaa Museum acquires models of Paide church history

Järvamaa Museum has acquired models depicting the history of Paide church, made by Vodja schoolteacher Indrek Kuuse in his home workshop, ERR reported. The models will be displayed in the museum’s permanent exhibition.

Kuuse became interested in making models during the Covid-19 pandemic, when he set a craft project for his students to do at home. He also made models of Paide’s keep tower and church. The museum later commissioned him to make a model of Paide Order Castle.

Research for the castle model also uncovered material about the church. Kuuse said a church stood there in the 14th century, followed by a 16th-century church that was blown up during the Livonian War. It is not known whether Russian forces or the town’s residents destroyed it. A wooden auxiliary church then stood beside the present church for nearly 200 years. The first version of the current church was later built on the old church’s foundations. Five churches in total have stood on the same foundations, he said.

Archaeological excavations by Villu Kadakas at Paide church and its surroundings helped Kuuse reconstruct the earlier buildings. The investigations uncovered the foundations of the medieval church. Kuuse also used engravings from the Swedish period, published in various works.

Kuuse said his favourite of the historical versions is the church with a Baroque spire. He said he wished a fire had not destroyed it in 1845.