Estonian Church of St. John the Baptist

Categories / Architecture/Architectural Monuments/Religious Architecture (see also Religion.Church)
Categories / Religion. Church/Places of Worship (see also Architecture and Urban Planning)
ESTONIAN CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, located at 54 Dekabristov St., is an architectural monument. The church was erected in 1859-63 (architect K.K. Ziegler, after the project design by G.A. Bosse) for the needs of the Estonian Lutheran community established in 1842. The building could seat 800. The front facade of the Neo-Romanesque church contained a perspective entrance and a high hip-roof belfry. The terra-cota elements were carved by sculptor D.I. Jensen. The interior was decorated with artificial oak panels, two chandeliers, a carved pulpit and a large crucifix. The neighbouring house was occupied by an Estonian school, an almshouse and an orphanage. In 1917, the parish numbered nearly 20,000 people. The church was closed in 1930, and turned into a club; the belfry was dismantled. In 1997, the building was given back to the community and is currently being restored.

References: Антонов В. В., Кобак А. В. Святыни Санкт-Петербурга: Ист.-церков. энцикл. СПб., 1996. Т. 3. С. 247-248.

S. V. Boglachev. Bosse G.A. (see Bosse Yu.A.)
Jensen D.I.
Ziegler von Schaffhausen Karl Karlovich
Dekabristov St./Saint Petersburg, city, house 54
Антонов В. В., Кобак А. В. Святыни Санкт-Петербурга: Ист.-церков. энцикл.: В 3 т. СПб., 1994-1996