User:Matupro/Keila Baptist Church

[[File:Keila_baptisti_kirik.IMG_20190716_111716.jpg|thumb|Keila Baptist Church, view from the other side of Haapsalu road

Photo: Ave Maria Mõistlik, 16. July 2019 ]] Keila Baptist Church is one of the oldest organizations in Keila, whose history dates back to 1903.

Keila Baptist Church is a Baptist church in Keila, Harju county, at Haapsalu road 10 address. The church is used by the Keila Baptist Congregation.

= History = Emile and Adam Podin arrived in Estonia on May 7, 1900. Adam Podin, who had Baptist convictions, was baptized on October 6, 1900 in the Keila River. The Podins began holding meetings in their dwellings, but opponents broke windows and threatened the Baptists.

Since there were no Baptists in Keila, the spiritual work developed rapidly and the number of participants increased. The tsarist government made obstacles to the holding of meetings. On August 26, 1902, the distillery was opened as a meeting place. The first four believers were baptized on July 7, 1903 in the Keila river, the congregation was officially confirmed on September 26, 1903.

At the outbreak of the First World War, the prayer hall was closed and turned into a barracks for Russian soldiers. In 1917, as the German forces approached, the Russians fled and the prayer house was converted into a Catholic church, which was later converted.

After the Second World War, the Keila Baptist Church began to be active again. In the 1960s and 1970s, the activities of the congregation were strictly controlled, but despite this, religious services and spiritual work continued. During the Soviet period, the congregation had to operate in difficult circumstances, but continuity was maintained and the number of participants gradually increased. Today, Keila Baptist Church is an active and modern congregation that engages in both spiritual and social work. The congregation regularly organizes religious services, Sunday schools and various youth and women's work. In addition, the congregation has several cooperation projects with local governments and other churches and organizations to support community development and provide assistance to those in need.

Keila Baptist Church (House of Prayer)
Baron von Uxküll, the owner of the Keila manor, closed the manor's distillery and turned it into a house of prayer, which was approved by the tsarist government. The house of worship was completed and blessed on August 18, 1904.

Sunday School and other activities
Next to the Keila Baptist Church was the home of the founder of the congregation, pastor Adam Podin, where the Estonian Baptist Preachers' Seminary operated from 1922-1929.

Emilie Podin started the Sunday school in 1903. By 1906, the school already had 43 students. When Emilie Podin quit her job in 1931, the congregation had Sunday schools in Keila, Vasalemma and Ohtu, with a total of 195 students and 6 teachers. In the 1940s, the authorities banned Sunday schools, which were revived only in 1964. Emilie Podin also organized the congregation's women's society and youth work.