The road from Saaremaa to Northern Estonia passed through Lääne County. In order to guard the roads and take care of the souls of the wayfarers, a number of chrches were built here, and the smallest parishes in Estonia emerged around them. Thus, on the way from Virtsu to Kirbla, there are four churches in a row. The master builders came to the area from both northern Germany and Scandinavia.

From the middle of the 19th century, a significant part of the population of Western Estonia converted to Othodoxy, hoping to improve their economic situation. Numerous Othodox churches were founded in Western Estonia, most of which are now in ruins. The only working Orthodox church in the region is located in Paadremaa and belongs to the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church.