Stara Rafalivka Ukraine
Ukrainian Orthodox
The church was built in 1783 as a Roman Catholic church. When Poles were expelled in 1837, for taking part in an uprising, the church was transformed into an Orthodox church. In 1879 a storm destroyed the wooden bell tower and the dome needed rebuilding as well as other repairs. Work was done from 1890-91, repairing the dome, painting the church white, rebuilding the floor, and adding a new bell tower. During the Second World War, the church was damaged as it was the only large structure to serve as an observation post, making it the target of fire. As it was designated an architectural monument, it wasn't closed or destroyed in the Soviet years. Repairs were undertaken in the 1960s; the domes were gilded around 1990. The church was surely refreshed for its 225th anniversary in 2006-07.