Rälby Baptist congregation

The island of Vormsi is one of the starting points of Estonian free churches. Lars Johan Österblom, the missionary of Swedish Evangelical Alliance, came to Vormsi in 1873. The life of Vormsi was described as followinged: “People lived in shacks. The houses had no chimneys. Local life was characterized by drinking and fights about vodka.”

The result of Österblom’s actions was spiritual revival on the island. First school was established and smoke huts became buildings with large windows. Houses of prayer replaced taverns. Result of the revival is also Rälby house of prayer, were the sermons ahve been held consistently since 1905.

Vormsi