Ashaghi Kilsa is a village in the Lori-Pambak uezd of the former Iravan governorate, later in the former Boyuk Garakilsa (Gugark) district, and currently in the Lori province. It lies 23 km to the southwest of the town of Gugark, between the villages of Hallavar and Gulludere. Historically, the village of Kilsa was in the district of Boyuk Garakilsa (Gugark). Later those who deserted the village of Kilsa founded a new village, and to differentiate it from the former they called it “Ashaghi Kilsa”.

The village was inhabited by 87 Azerbaijanis in 1922, 110 in 1926, 128 in 1931 and 120 Azerbaijanis in 1987. In December 1988 the Armenians massacred the Azerbaijanis or ousted them from the village by force, attacking the village.

The toponym was coined by combining the word “ashaghi” denoting a distinction and “kilsa” meaning “a religious temple”. At present, the village is called “Kilisa” where only Armenians live.

According to the law “On the administrative-territorial division of the Republic of Armenia” dated 7 November 1995, it was integrated into the administrative area of the Lori province.

Geographic coordinates: latitude: 40°45’ N., longitude: 44°25’ E.