The masonry Church of the Ascension of the Lord in the village of Andrushky in the Zhytomyr region was built in 1850–1859 on the site of an older wooden church. Today, it is one of the main historical landmarks of the village, reminiscent of the times of landed estates and the sugar industry in the former Popilnia region.
History of the village of Andrushky
Andrushky has been known since 1683. According to local lore, the name comes from the surname of Cossack captain Andrushchuk.
Once, the village was part of the Pavoloch estate of the Lubomirski princes, and in the 18th and 19th centuries, it changed owners several times. Among them are mentioned:
- landowner K. Velezhynskyi;
- Dionizii Prushynskyi;
- Countess A. Potocka;
- L. Bentkovskyi;
- the Popov merchants, and at the end of the 19th century — Olha Baskakova.
During the time of one of the first owners, a wooden church was built in the village, which eventually could no longer hold all the parishioners and began to fall into disrepair.
Construction of the masonry church
In the 1840s, the old wooden church was already in unsatisfactory condition, so it was decided to build a new masonry church with a tall bell tower in Andrushky.
The stone church was laid in 1850 and consecrated in 1859 — construction lasted for almost ten years.
The church was built in the traditions of Orthodox architecture of that time. Along with the church, a bell tower was also erected, which became the architectural dominant feature of the village.
To this day have been preserved:
- the Ascension Church itself;
- the bell tower;
- individual old outbuildings of the 19th century.
Andrushky and the sugar factory
A new stage in the village's development is connected with the sugar factory, built nearby around 1850 — almost simultaneously with the laying of the church. Later, the enterprise belonged to the Popov merchants.
The factory became one of the main employers in the district: under various owners, from several dozen to over a thousand people worked there. It was the sugar industry that significantly influenced the economy and appearance of the village in the second half of the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, in 1906, a workers' strike even took place here.
Bell tower and architecture
Particular attention is drawn to the church's bell tower. It is clearly visible from afar and is one of the most recognizable elements of old Andrushky.
The architecture of the church combines:
- features of late classicism;
- traditional forms of Orthodox churches;
- proportions and decorative elements characteristic of the 19th century.
Interesting fact
In the 19th century, Andrushky was not only a religious but also an industrial center of the district. Thanks to the sugar factory, the village grew rapidly, and the Ascension Church became a spiritual center for hundreds of workers and their families.
