Shuvalov Church is one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in St. Petersburg. It was built at the expense of Varvara Petrovna Shuvalova, the widow of Count Shuvalov. The history of its creation is quite interesting.
Shuvalovskaya Church was built in the Gothic style - this is its "zest".
The beginning of the story
Shuvalovsky Park was conceived by Empress Elizaveta Petrovna as Pargolovsky Garden - a place where you can relax to this day. It is especially loved by the residents of St. Petersburg.
Pargolovsky lands belonged to the Orekhovsky monasteries. In 1617 they were captured by the Swedes, in 1721 they were released by Peter I. The Tsar presented them to his daughter Elizabeth. And she, in turn, gave it to Pyotr Ivanovich Shuvalov, a statesman and military figure of those times. It was a gift for his help in raising Elizabeth Petrovna to the throne.
For a long time the earth was in ruins. Shuvalov's son and grandson did not seek to use her. After the death of his grandson, Pavel Andreevich Shuvalov, his widow married the master of ceremonies at the court of Alexander I. PolieAdolf Antonovich (that was his name) took over the Pargolovsky lands.
Through the efforts of the serfs, this place has become a beautiful park.
Building a church
Shuvalovskaya Church was built after the death of Paul. He died in 1830. Varvara Petrovna, then twice a widow, turned to the architect with a request to build a crypt for her late husband. Alexander Pavlovich Bryullov (that was the name of the architect) was fond of traveling around European countries, and a crypt in the Gothic style was created according to his project.
In the same year, the widow asked for permission to build a church over the crypt. The Spiritual Consistory approved her request, but with one condition: the crypt must be behind the church fence. This was due to Paulier's religion - he was a Calvinist.
In 1831, the laying of the Shuvalov Church took place. Its construction took a long time. Varvara Petrovna was in poverty, but despite her financial situation, she continued to finance the construction.
In 1841, construction was completed. It was built according to the project of A. P. Bryullov - just like the crypt. The building is made in the Gothic style, which is unusual for an Orthodox church.
Consecration
The consecration of the church took place in 1846. It is still unknown why it has not been implemented for 5 years.
Initially it was assumed that the church would be consecrated in honor of the Great Martyr Catherine. At the last moment, Shuvalov's widow ordered otherwise. One of her sons was Peter Pavlovich, so they decided to consecrate the church in honor oftwo patrons of the son - Peter and Paul.
Temple before 1917
The parishioners of the Shuvalov Church were mainly residents of nearby villages. Other classes also did not bypass her with their attention, for example, art critic V. V. Stasov, Professor of St. Petersburg University S. A. Vengerov, sculptor R. R. Bach.
At the end of June 1872, the wedding of N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov and N. N. Purgold.
Shuvalovskaya Church of Peter and Paul until 1917 was a family. She is very well preserved. However, the years of the revolution and Soviet power made their adjustments.
Soviet times
Years of godlessness affected the Shuvalov Church. From 1917 to 1926 it housed a boarding school, and from 1926 to 1935. - Ministry of Motor Transport Industry.
The park and the church were gradually destroyed. In 1930 they were a sad sight. Removed doors of the church, a broken cross on the top of the crypt, the absence of the coat of arms of the Shuvalovs. The crypt was turned into a hay barn, and a pigsty was built on its territory.
The Great Patriotic War bypassed the building. In 1948, it was given over to the laboratory of the V. P. Vologda.
In 1997 it was planned to start restoration work in the church building. The premises were vacated, but work was never started. The church in Shuvalovsky Park was gradually destroyed - the architectural monument turned into ruins.
Rebirth
In the late 80s of the last century, to one of the leaders of VNIITVCHthe LETI teacher asked. Nikolaeva Galina Alexandrovna asked for the revival of the Church of Peter and Paul (Shuvalovsky Park) in memory of her own son, who fell in Afghanistan, and of all the sons who remained there forever.
Maternal grief has become the main impetus for the revival of the architectural monument. VNIITVCH was puzzled by the question of the restoration of the temple. In 1991, the disfigured building was handed over to the Russian Orthodox Church.
A divine service was held in the temple, it was raised by "the whole world": rich organizations of the city, private entrepreneurs and ordinary people who wish to contribute to this cause. Work in full swing.
It was not easy to get the stone from the Gatchina quarries, with which the temple was originally lined. It was difficult to get timber for finishing. The temple was revived through the efforts of believers. The walls were re-plastered, new windows were installed, and the Gothic motif was restored. People have gone through all the obstacles that come their way.
At the end of August 2014, hegumen Siluan was appointed rector of the Shuvalov Church on Vyborgskoye Highway.
Location and schedule of services
Shuvalov Church is active. Worship services are not held there every day. Saturday evening service starts at 5:00 pm. On Sundays, the liturgy begins at 9:00.
The temple is located at: St. Petersburg, Pargolovo, Shuvalov Park, 41.
Conclusion
Like many temples, the Shuvalov Church was subject to destruction - an architectural and historical monumentturned into ruins. However, it has been revived. The monument of federal importance was restored after many years of devastation and desolation. But in Russia there are still other destroyed, desecrated churches.
