Lutheran Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Saint Petersburg
Description
The Lutheran Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (in Russian: Лютеранская церковь Святых Петра и Павла or in German: Lutherische Kirche der Heiligen Peter und Paul) is a Lutheran church located in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is one of the oldest and largest Protestant churches in Russia.
General
The Lutheran Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is a Lutheran church located on Nevsky Prospect, the main street of Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is also known as Saint Peter's Lutheran Church (in Russian: Лютеранская церковь Святого Петра or in German: St. Petri-Kirche}.
It is one of the oldest and largest Protestant churches in Russia. It was and still is called the German church as its members were mostly German-speaking.
History
In 1705, Peter the Great decreed that the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches could be established in Saint Petersburg.
In 1708, a Lutheran church was established in Saint Petersburg, later followed by other Lutheran churches. For example, the famous mathematician Leonhard Euler was buried in the Lutheran cemetery in Saint Petersburg.
The present building of St. Peter's Lutheran Church was designed by Alexander Brulllov and built in 1833-1837. By 1917, the church had about 15,000 membership and also managed a school (Petrischule), a hospital and an orphanage.
During the Soviet rule, religion was persecuted. This church was requisitioned by the local government and was used as an indoor swimming pool.
During the 1990s, the church building was returned to St. Peter's Church and was restored.
Worship
Worship is held now in Russian. There are also services in German.
In its neighborhood
On the streets on left and right of St. Peter's Lutheran Church are:
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saint Mary (also called the Finnish church)
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saint Katarina (also called the Swedish church)
In the latter church, also held are Sunday services in English (Anglican) and in Korean (Presbyterian). On the opposite side of Nevsky Prospect is:
- Kazan Cathedral (Eastern Orthodox)
Nearby, also on Prospect, toward east, are
- Armenian Apostolic Church
- Catholic Church of St. Catherine (Roman Catholic)
