The article reveals the problem of the construction of temple buildings in the border areas of the Russian state in a Wild Field in the XVI century. The problem has not yet been posed or considered in historiography. Its relevance lies in the novelty of raising the issue of church building in the context of the raids of the Crimean Tatars. The article analyzes the source – the Scribal books of the Moscow state, in part of the Orel district (1594/1595), examines the features of church construction in the border region using the example of the Orel district, the appearance of temples on state land, the reasons for the absence of churches in the borderlands, provides landmark dedications of churches in the camps of the county, traces the history of the preservation of temples from the second half of the XVI century until now. For the first time, a number of church buildings are linked to a specific area. Many of the dates associated with the construction of churches in the modern Oryol region are being revised to indicate an earlier date. Conclusions: the construction of Orthodox churches in the Wild Field had a profound moral and spiritual impact on the defenders of the southern Russian frontiers and the borderland population, strengthening their Orthodox faith and their confidence in the support of higher powers and in victory over the enemy. This was fully manifested in the strengthening of the Orthodox faith, confidence in the support of the defenders of the southern Russian borders from higher forces, and confidence in victory over the enemy. Establishing an earlier date for the construction of churches in what is now the Oryol region and pinpointing their exact locations will contribute to the study of the history of the Oryol Diocese and the Orthodox faith in Russia.