Catholicism is a branch of Christianity that has many followers all over the world. Everyone knows that during the construction of St. Petersburg, Peter the Great often turned to his German friends, whose culture and way of life he admired. For German Catholics, to make them feel comfortable, during the long years of building the city, Catholic churches were built in St. Petersburg. Today there are 6 large temples of the catalytic denomination in the city.
History of Catholicism in Russia
For many centuries, before and after the adoption of Christianity in Russia, Russia cooperated with Rome. Political relations, the split of the Orthodox Church and the economic influence of the Catholic West left their mark on the formation of the Catholic faith in Russia.
However, the first monasteries and Catholic churches in Russia appeared only under Peter the Great. Obsessed with everything Western, he actively attracted specialists from Europe. Most of them were all Catholics.
The number of representatives of the Catholic denomination grew rapidly. This was due to the fact that many Europeans emigrated to the Russian Empire. Catholic churches appeared in St. Petersburg, which are still active to this day. Their unusual architecture is quite harmoniously blended into the architecture of the city on the Neva.
St. Catherine's Basilica
The very first Catholic church and the longest-term project is St. Catherine's Basilica. The construction of this church began in 1716 and was completed only 66 years later. This unique building on Nevsky Prospekt (in the very center of St. Petersburg) was designed by three architects. It so harmoniously blended into the architectural ensemble of the city that it deservedly became its national treasure.
In Soviet times, like all religious buildings, the building was nationalized, looted and destroyed. Only in the 90s of the XX century it was presented with its original appearance, the churches were reconstructed and returned.
The Catholic Church in St. Petersburg on Nevsky is the largest and most significant, in 2013 it was awarded the honorary title of a small basilica. Today this temple adorns the central street of the city.
Catholic churches in St. Petersburg have long become public property and architectural monuments, with their difficult fate.
Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
A relatively young Roman Catholic church in St. Petersburg is the temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. An unusual building in the Nevsky district attracts attention. itan architectural structure of 1907 made of red brick, looks angular and rough, but its significance for the city is enormous.
In the difficult atheistic times of the Soviet Union, the church building was used as a warehouse, and even a kindergarten. Like many other religious relics, it was returned to the city only in the 90s of the last century. Today the temple has been restored, but its appearance has undergone significant changes. Having gone through several restorations, the cathedral has lost its beauty a little, but it pleases with its rich interior decoration.
Church of Our Lady of Lourdes
Opened in 1909, the temple is made in a typical Romanesque architectural style. The small chapel was erected back in 1891, where the French brought a statue of the Virgin Mary directly from the Louvre. There was no money for the construction of the temple, so its construction was delayed for almost 18 years.
The Greek Catholic Church in St. Petersburg stands out against the background of St. Petersburg buildings. The austere facade of red brick, creates a gloomy impression in the style of Gothic art. However, everything changes once you get inside the building.
Initially, the altar was decorated with a sculpture-copy of the Madonna by Raphael, later it was replaced with a painting of the Virgin with a baby in her hands. The room is also decorated with statues and sculptures, and the soft light from the beautiful chandeliers is scattered throughout the room.
After the collapse of the USSR, the building was restored several times. Painters were specially invited from Latvia, who breathed new life intowar-weary cathedral.
Church of St. Stanislaus
This is the second Catholic church built in St. Petersburg. Outwardly unremarkable, made in the style of strict classicism, it was founded in 1825. However, the interior of the temple is striking in its beauty. During the Soviet era, the church was also looted and damaged, all the amazing beauty, designed by the famous architect Visconti, was destroyed. Only during Gorbachev's democracy was he returned to his religious status, restored and allowed to work for his parishioners. A lot of effort was spent to recreate the original decoration of the temple.
Today the cathedral simultaneously accommodates about seven hundred parishioners. This is the second largest church belonging to the Catholic churches in St. Petersburg.
You can visit and just admire these cathedrals at the addresses below.
Location
Catholic churches in St. Petersburg, addresses:
| Name | Metro | Address |
| Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria | "Nevsky" | Nevsky pr. 32 |
| Church of Our Lady of Lourdes | "Mayakovskaya" | Kovensky lane, 7 |
| Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary | "Lenin Square" | st. Mineralnaya, 21 |
| Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus | "Lomonosovskaya" | st. Babushkina, 57 |
| Church of St. Stanislaus | "Garden" | st. Union of Printers, 22 |
| Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | "Institute of Technology" | st. First Red Army, 11 |
There have always been Catholics in Russia, this is connected both with the political sphere and with the economic one. Despite the fact that the Orthodox were forbidden to convert to another faith, history has recorded many cases of such violations. Among those who converted to Catholicism, there are many noblemen, Decembrists and even clergymen.
The influence of this religion weakened during the years of the Polish uprising, but this event influenced the spread of European religion inland. It was the Poles and Lithuanians exiled to Siberia who were the first builders of Catholic churches in the outback.
Today, according to unofficial data, there are about 800 thousand representatives of this denomination in Russia.
