Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Saint Petersburg)

 listed building / architectural heritage, Roman Catholic church, 1870s construction

Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Catholic Cathedral in St. Petersburg, in 1873-1926 the years wore caphedral status and was the residence of Metropolitan of Mogilyov, head of the Catholic Church in the Russian Empire. Administratively belongs to North-West archdiocese of the Mother of God (based in Moscow), headed by Metropolitan Archbishop Paolo Pezzi. Located at 1st Krasnoarmeyskaya street, 11. The cathedral is open from the street building, which is Russia's only Catholic seminary "Maria - Queen of the Apostles."
In the Cathedral regularly hosts concerts of sacred music, the parish newspaper is published.

History

In 1849 the seat of the Catholic Church in the Russian Empire was moved from Mogilyov in St. Petersburg, despite the fact that the Archdiocese has retained the name Mogilyovskaya. Construction of the cathedral in the area adjacent to the residence of the Archbishop went on from 1870 to 1873. The author of the original draft of the cathedral was the architect VI Sobol'schikov, after his death ended with the construction under the supervision of E. Vorotilova.

Consecration of the Cathedral by Archbishop Anthony Fialkovsky held April 12, 1873. Part of the new cathedral church plate was moved from Mogilyov.

By the 90th of the XIX century Cathedral of the Assumption Parish has increased so much that there was a question of expanding the council. Work on the expansion took place in 1896-1897 years. Capacity of the church was increased from 750 to 1500 people. Were added to the side-chapels, changed the interior, updated list. Also been replaced with side altars, in addition, they have decorated with bronze statues. December 23, 1897 rebuilt the cathedral was re-consecrated.

In 1900, the building arhieparhialnogo home, located next to the cathedral, was transferred to the Catholic seminary and the residence of the archbishop moved to the nearby house number 118 on the Fontanka embankment.

Assumption Parish is constantly growing and before the revolution of 1917 there were about 15 - 20 000 members.

After the October Revolution to the church of the Assumption, as well as for the whole Catholic Church in Russia, fell on hard times. In 1918 the seminary was closed in the 20s by the authorities made several attempts to close the cathedral, but the parish managed to stay until 1930, when the temple was closed.

After World War II the church building has suffered from falling bombs, were converted to the needs of the design office.

Restore normal activities of the Catholic Church in Russia began in the early 90-ies of XX century. In 1994 he was re-registered the arrival of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In September 1995 the church was returned to the Church, in the same year and was returned to the seminary building, where she moved from Moscow Higher Catholic Seminary "Mary - Queen of the Apostles."

Extensive work on the restoration of the temple were more than two years, February 16, 1997 are not yet fully restored Cathedral resumed the service, and May 24, 1998 Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz consecrated Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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Catholic Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1873 - 1926's. wore the status of the cathedral and was the residence of Metropolitan of Mogilev, head of the Catholic Church in the Russian Empire.
Permission to build a Catholic church was given May 27, 1870
On religious and ideological reasons, the building of the temple, it was decided to place deep in the quarter, closing his Consistory Building. Built a temple architect VI Sobolschikov.

Originally the church was in the shape of Latin cross. The temple had a single nave, covered with a wooden canopy with painting, five high windows located on each side and two windows in the sanctuary. The space between the windows occupied twin Romanesque columns. On the east side of the nave was attached sacristy, and the west - the chapel.
In the basement of the church to be placed flat songbirds and clerical officials.
April 12, 1873 building a new church was solemnly consecrated main altar (with the relics of Pope Pius the martyr St. Boniface and I) consecrated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Metropolitan Anthony Fialkovsky.

In the autumn began designing two side outlets in the churchyard for ceremonial processions. Work was scheduled to begin in September 1873 Architect VI Sobol'schikov by the time he died, the main producer of the work he was appointed his assistant E. Vorotilov.
In the spring of 1873 had been completed, finishing work at the church, in the summer of that year came from Mogilev archive of the chapter, and were distributed to apartments of prelates and canons.

Position of the architect of buildings occupied successively: ES Vorotilov (1878-1883 gg.) Orachevsky (1884-1885 gg.), AD Fyalkovsky (1885-1897 gg.) LP Shishko.
The temple later rebuilt several times.

In 1878 - 1879's. Vorotilov architect rebuilt the roof of the temple, in addition, there were several buildings in the courtyard of the Roman Catholic Theological College.

In 1895 - 1898's. by Alexander D. Fyalkovsky there were two side chapels, flooring replaced the mosaic floors in the right aisle installed a new altar, wooden altars on the right and left of the main altar was replaced with a marble and bronze statues, have been extended passages of church portals. In the basement, in the new sacristy, built at the same time from the garden, and in the storeroom were built Dutch tile stoves, made the necessary work on the device ventilation and heating, rotting wooden ceiling was replaced with a concrete vault on the system Monnier, arranged in the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. Internal painting works in the 1897-1898 years. performed Khrushkov M., decorative painting in the "Romanesque" - N. Alexandrov. New consecration was held December 23, 1897 by Carl Metropolitan Nedzyalkovsky.
The church was again enlarged in 1900 - 1901's. Architect E. Vorotilovym and again consecrated September 14, 1902 by Metropolitan Klopotovsky Boleslav.

In 1905 - 1906's. Spiritual Board of the arch repair requests to make the architect Stanislav Volovské and civil engineer, AK Montagu. Also has been arranged an entrance to the basement to the right and made some internal work.
The last repairs before the closing of the church was made in 1928
The temple was closed in 1930 after World War II the church building has suffered from falling bombs, were converted to the needs of the design office.

In 1994 he was re-registered the arrival of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In September 1995 the church building was returned to the church and began restoration. February 16, 1997 resumed service. May 24, 1998 Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz consecrated Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.