About the Church
The Roman Catholic Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Stiglova is a wooden church in the village of Latviešu Stiglova, in the Mērdzene civil parish, the Ludza municipality, in eastern Latgale. The church belongs to the Diocese of Rēzekne–Aglona and is dedicated to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
The wooden church was first built in 1706–1710 in the locality of Pudinava, with the support of Bishop Nikolajus Poplavskis. In 1769, on the instruction of Bishop Jonas Steponas Giedraitis, the church was moved from Pudinava to Latviešu Stiglova and reconsecrated there. In 1929 the towers were rebuilt, giving the church its present appearance, and in 1956 the wooden roof was replaced with sheet metal.
The log-built, two-towered church has three altars and an organ; it is surrounded by a stone wall with a small cemetery, and by the western entrance stand two small chapels with bell turrets. Since 1998 the Stiglova church has been listed among the state-protected cultural monuments and is one of the most valuable of Latgale's old wooden churches.
The wooden church was first built in 1706–1710 in the locality of Pudinava, with the support of Bishop Nikolajus Poplavskis. In 1769, on the instruction of Bishop Jonas Steponas Giedraitis, the church was moved from Pudinava to Latviešu Stiglova and reconsecrated there. In 1929 the towers were rebuilt, giving the church its present appearance, and in 1956 the wooden roof was replaced with sheet metal.
The log-built, two-towered church has three altars and an organ; it is surrounded by a stone wall with a small cemetery, and by the western entrance stand two small chapels with bell turrets. Since 1998 the Stiglova church has been listed among the state-protected cultural monuments and is one of the most valuable of Latgale's old wooden churches.