Estuna Church dates from the early 13th century or possibly the late 12th century. The structure of the building indicates that a tower was initially planned for the eastern end of the church but never built. It may have been intended as a defensive tower which became redundant as times became more peaceful as the Middle Ages progressed in Sweden.
The church has been rebuilt and expanded several times. During a renovation of the altar in 1733 a patch of parchment was discovered that noted the date of a re-inauguration of the church to 1298. This was probably done in connection with an enlargement of the church towards the west. The church porch was added during the 15th century. During a renovation in the 20th century, medieval frescoes were discovered and uncovered. Among the church furnishings, most date from the 18th century. The baptismal font is however older, from the 13th century. The elaborate crucifix was donated to the church in 1783 and made in Rome.
References:House of the Blackheads (Melngalvju nams) is a building situated in the old town of Riga. The original building was erected during the first third of the 14th century for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a guild for unmarried German merchants in Riga. Major works were done in the years 1580 and 1886, adding most of the ornaments.
The structure was bombed to a ruin by the Germans June 28, 1941 and the remains demolished by the Soviets in 1948. The current reconstruction was erected from 1995 to 1999. Today the House of Blackheads serves as a museum and sometimes concert hall.