THE CHURCH

Following the completion of the school, Stoykite villagers began to contemplate building a church. In 1874, the community's chiefs gathered to discuss the church's construction and placement. Everyone indicated to an area close to where they grew up. Kolyadjika was the wealthiest and most powerful gentleman in the community. "The place will be here," he eventually said after quietly listening to the others' remarks. He responded, "I'll give them the land, a thousand levs, and a gift for the masters." The village's mayor made this final declaration, but the delegates from the other neighborhoods disagreed. They settled on a location near to the school where they began excavating as a compromise. Bishop Panaret of Plovdiv, to whom two envoys were despatched, approved a building permit.The Metropolitan Panaret of Plovdiv laid the foundation stone in 1874. The arrival of the bishop was a big deal. The villagers greeted him on Eshei Kulak, and he was escorted by Turkish gendarmes, originally with a police officer. The church was only completed to the windows in 1876, following which the April Uprising and the Liberation War halted building for several years. It was finished after the Liberation and dedicated on June 5, 1881 by Gervasius, assistant to Panaret, bishop of Lefkada.The church is one of the most beautiful in the Middle Rhodopes in terms of architecture. High and enormous, with regular outlines, well-defined corners, and windows with finely crafted iron bars. The roof is supported by pillars that are suitably formed. The iconostasis is well crafted. Iron sheets are attached with heavy blacksmith's nails to the exterior of the doors. In the schoolyard, the bell was suspended from two wooden poles. Its voice was lost between the church and school walls and did not reach the surrounding communities. In 1900, the church board resolved to erect a bell tower with the approval of the city government. The church's majestic architecture rose to the northeast corner. The notion of establishing a community center arose quickly. A village meeting was held on October 26, 1903, to discuss the establishment of a community center.