St. Peter’s Lutheran Church

Categories / Architecture/Architectural Monuments/Religious Architecture (see also Religion.Church)
Categories / Religion. Church/Places of Worship (see also Architecture and Urban Planning)
ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, located at 22-24 Nevsky Prospect. An architectural monument. Constructed in 1833-38 to the plans of architect A. P. Bryullov in place of a stone church of the same name built in 1728-З0 by C. A. Minich. The church is located at the far end of the grounds (two apartment houses that had belonged to the church overlooked Nevsky Prospect; 1830-31, architect G. R. Zollikofer). The main facade was decorated with an arcade in pseudo-Romanesque style and two towers; the figure of an angel with a cross was placed on the attic. Inside, the church was divided into three naves and had a three-tier gallery supported on cast-iron pillars, holding a total of 3,000 people. In 1841, an organ made by the German Walker Company was installed in the church, which was replaced in 1886 by another of the same company. Marble statues were sculptured by A. Triscorni, high reliefs with pictures of Evangelists were performed by T. N. Jacques, the carvings – by P. Creitan, and painting – by P. Drollinger. The Crucifix for the altar was made by K. P. Bryullov (now displayed in the State Russian Museum). In 1864-66, windows were decorated with stained-glass patterns by S. Calnerolli. In 1895-97 the building was reconstructed (architect M. E. Messmacher). The German school of St. Peter (see Peterschule) and several charitable establishments functioned under the care of the church. In 1917, the community numbered about 15,000 people. In 1938, the church was closed down. In 1958-62, the building was totally reconstructed to accommodate a swimming pool, while in 1993 it was returned to the German community, and after repairs in 1997, was consecrated anew. The church serves as the main cathedral of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia. In 1999, the bust of I. W. Goethe (sculptor L. Lazarev) was unveiled in its yard.

References: Антонов В. В., Кобак А. В. Святыни Санкт-Петербурга: Ист.-церков. энцикл. СПб., 1996. Т. 3. С. 254-255; Церковь св. Петра. СПб., 1998.

S. V. Boglachev. Bryullov Boris Pavlovich
Bryullov Karl Pavlovich
Calnerolli S.
Creitan Vasily Petrovich
Goethe Johann Wolfgang
Jacques Theodor Napoleon
Lazarev Levon Konstantinovich
Messmacher Maximilian Egorovich
Minich Christoph Antonovich (Burghard Christoph), Count
Triscorni Paolo
Zollikofer Egor Timofeevich (Georg Ruprecht)
Nevsky prospect/Saint Petersburg, city
Nevsky prospect/Saint Petersburg, city, house 22
Nevsky prospect/Saint Petersburg, city, house 24
Антонов В. В., Кобак А. В. Святыни Санкт-Петербурга: Ист.-церков. энцикл.: В 3 т. СПб., 1994-1996
Церковь св. Петра, СПб., 1998 Russian Museum, State
St. Petrischule
1728
1838