These beautiful but depleted, centuries old wooden churches were captured through the lenses byRichard Davies.

Further trips have followed every year.

One church was hit by a reversing tractor - it tumbled like a pack of cards.

1_Verkhniaya_Uftiuga_Aug02

There is however much to celebrate., Richard writes.

1d_Verkhniaya_Uftiuga_Feb07

3_Permogorye_Aug02

6_Samino_Aug02

8a_Kizhi_Aug02

9b_Kondopoga_Aug06

9c_Kondopoga_Aug06

12_Kokkoila_Aug03

15a_Kosmozero_Aug06

16_Polya_Aug06

18_Yandomozero_Aug03

18d_Yandomozero_Aug06

19_Ust_Yandoma_Aug03

21_Kovda_Aug03

23_Liadiny_Aug03

24_Krasnaya_Liaga_Mar06

26a_Oshvenskoye_Mar06

31_Izma_Aug04

35_Bukhalovo_Aug04

43_Podporozhye_Mar05

45_Rakuly_Mar05

52_Sheliki_Aug07

41a_Tulgas_Aug09