Grodno is one of the oldest cities in the Republic of Belarus. In 2014 it was called the "Cultural Capital of Belarus".
During its long existence, the city has acquired many attractions that bring not only aesthetics, but also have historical significance. One of the interesting architectural structures is the Lutheran Church. It will be discussed further.
Historical information
The Church of St. John is an architectural heritage of the Belarusian city of Grodno. Initially, it was the building of a former tavern, but first things first.
In 1779, an Evangelical Lutheran society was born in Grodno, founded by German Lutherans. They were hired workers-manufakturers who were invited from Germany by the current mayor Tyzengauz.
Respect for the community was shown both by ordinary citizens and by the government. King Stanislaw August Poniatowski himself, in 1793, allocated a three-story building for the Lutheran representatives, which was once a tavern. In it, the community prayed and spent hours of meals.
At the end of the 18th century, the chief city architect Meser put forward a proposal that the street on which theLutheran church, renamed Kirkhovaya. The name lasted until 1931, and after that the street acquired a new name - Akademicheskaya. This was the emergence of new educational institutions.
Opposite the Lutheran building, a Lutheran cemetery was formed. Burials were carried out on it until 1878.
In the 19th century, the Lutheran church undergoes a number of building transformations. In 1843, the pastor's building was added to the building, which housed classrooms. In 1873, a bell tower with a clock was built, and the entire building was renovated. Since 1912, the external decoration of the church was carried out, the appearance of which has been preserved to this day. A Lutheran school was built.
All construction costs were borne by the community, which at that time consisted of 200 families.
In the period from 1944 to 1994, all the documentation of the regional archive was kept in the building of the Lutheran Church of Grodno. In 1995, the building was taken over by the Evangelical Lutheran community.
Description of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
There is not a single decoration or fresco, icons on the facade and inside the church. The Lutheran faith does not approve of superfluous decorations. Strictness, restraint, minimalism - this is what is at the heart of religion. The same is reflected in the appearance of the architectural structure. The stained-glass windows are the only decoration of the Church of St. John.
The building retains an "echo of the past": a wrought-iron font and a bell, which are still in use today.
The general architectural style is Neo-Gothic.
Church building has 1 tower, on which is locatedpentahedral asp. The tower has preserved a reminder (in the form of mechanisms) of the once functioning clock.
A room (nave) was built outside, bounded by columns. The main entrance to the church is decorated according to the style: an lancet portal was built above the door, and a round rose window flaunts above it. The top of the tower is crowned with a newly installed spire, which is 16 meters long.
On the second floor of the tower there are small rooms where small choirs are located.
Renewal of the Lutheran Church of Grodno
In 1995, the church building regained its original significance. It has been given to believers. From this year, a total restoration of the church began, which was carried out at the expense of funds allocated by patrons from the Lutheran society "Gustav Adolf". This German society helps Lutheran communities build and renovate churches.
After the overhaul, the Lutheran Church in Grodno began to hold services again. For the first time in the last 20 years, the sacrament of the wedding was held in it.
However, until recently, the appearance of the church looked depressing: cracks in the walls, peeling paint and pieces of plaster falling off. In 2015, the building underwent a major refurbishment and almost lost its original appearance. The vast majority of residents of Grodno expressed their indignation about this, as the church has lost its uniqueness.
"Singing" church
The Lutheran Church of Grodno is the onlycurrently operating in the Republic of Belarus. It is called the "singing" church. The thing is that during worship, the community performs Lutheran songs to the accompaniment of an electronic organ.
Current pastor
Since 2009 Pastor Vladimir Tatarnikov has been serving in the Grodno Lutheran community. He was born on April 3, 1986 in Vileyka, Minsk region.
In 2004, Vladimir became a seminarian at the Theological Department of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which is located in St. Petersburg. After 5 years of study, in 2009 Tatarnikov graduated from the Seminary with a Bachelor of Theology.
Note to tourists
Travelers who decide to visit Grodno have the opportunity to visit the Lutheran Church as part of an excursion group. They will be told the history of the formation of the building, presented the interior, and those who wish can listen to a concert of organ music, which will leave an indelible impression. The entire excursion walk, including the musical part, takes no more than 40 minutes. Of course, visiting is possible only during times when there are no services.
Church music lovers will be interested to know that St. John's Church regularly hosts organ music concerts, which attract performers from different countries.
"Voice" of the church
Organ sounds are often heard in church walls. The instrument is considered a local pride. It was created in the 60s of the twentieth century. Its predecessor was destroyed in the yearsrevolution. But the members of the community and the new pastor Vladimir Tatarnikov wanted the sound of this majestic instrument to be heard again within the walls of the church.
The new organ was bought in Frankfurt am Main. It was transported to Belarus disassembled, and local specialists assembled it.
Main direction of the community
The Lutheran community operating in Grodno unites 80 people. The main destinations are:
- help for pensioners, the disabled;
- helping the poor and large families;
- collaboration with children's hospice;
- interaction with the society of the blind;
- working with the young population, carrying out preventive measures.
The church's "music venue" often hosts charity concerts of organ music, as well as performances by hospice children, which they prepare themselves.
