In the quiet village of Mancılık, nestled in the Kangal district of Sivas, stands a forgotten historical treasure—the Mancılık Church. Though its exact origins remain unknown, this Armenian-built stone church holds a deep and mysterious past. Once considered a kind of “Central Bank” by surrounding religious communities, the structure has since fallen victim to looters and neglect. Now, its future hinges on long-overdue restoration efforts.
A Church with a Financial Past
Locals claim that the Mancılık Church served a unique purpose: it functioned as a safe haven for valuables from neighboring churches, essentially acting as a regional treasury. The church’s sturdy stone construction—still largely intact despite years of damage—helped it earn that role. Religious symbols and ornate carvings still adorn its weathered walls, hinting at its spiritual and cultural importance.
Unfortunately, the church’s foundations and surrounding areas have been heavily excavated by treasure hunters, seeking rumored riches. Stones have been removed, and parts of the structure have been severely damaged, diminishing its once-impressive appearance.
Local Voices Call for Action
Özkan Baltacı, the village head, emphasized the church’s historical significance and economic potential:
“For centuries, this church acted like a Central Bank for the area. Now, it’s in ruins. We hope the authorities will step in and restore it. If that happens, it could become a tourism asset, creating income for our community and benefiting both the village and the state. Compared to 30 years ago, it’s a shadow of what it was.”
Longtime residents share similar memories and hopes.
Ayşe Dallıkavak recalls stories passed down to her:
“My mother-in-law used to say it was beautiful, with wooden floors and pictures on the walls. We want it restored, brought back to life in our village.”
Yılmaz Balta, who grew up in Mancılık, reminisced about playing in the church as a child:
“It used to be so beautiful. Over the years, treasure hunters have done a lot of damage. People still come and chip away at the stones, hoping to get rich—but no one ever finds anything. We’ve never heard of anyone striking gold here. We need the authorities to act quickly. Restoration could benefit both the village and Sivas.”
A Heritage Worth Saving
The Mancılık Church is more than just a relic of the past—it’s a piece of living history, connecting today’s villagers with centuries of cultural and religious tradition. Restoring the church could not only preserve a valuable monument but also transform it into a hub for faith tourism, breathing new life into the village economy.
Local leaders and residents now look to national and regional authorities for support—before this cultural gem is lost forever to time and treasure-seeking destruction.
