From an NKVD orphanage to a tuberculosis clinic. Astrakhan has promised to restore the Lutheran church buildings.

For the restoration of the complex Evangelical Lutheran Church, which consists of a parsonage, a church, and a parish school, will require 55 million rubles. Until an investor is found, volunteers are working on the complex. improvementresidential work.

A stone church on the site of an old wooden one was built and consecrated in 1892. It housed an organ. Services were held until 1920, when the building was confiscated by the state and became a club. Later, apartments were built in the church; the renovation was carried out by the Astrakhan branch of Mosstroy. Workers dismantled the bell tower, smashed the stained-glass windows, and threw the organ right out into the street. In the 1930s, the parish school housed an NKVD children's shelter; later, this building and the pastor's house became a tuberculosis clinic.
All three buildings are cultural heritage sites of regional significance.

"History is being made now, because after so many years, restoration of the buildings of this unique complex has begun... The plans include replacing the windows and updating the façade. A pedestrian zone will be created, trees will be planted. The buildings will live on. Our city is multi-faith. Therefore, it is crucial to uphold the history of all nationalities.", says the head of the volunteer movement of the Astrakhan. Heritage Foundation Alexandra Kolchina.

In 2016, without waiting for the restoration, the wall collapsed churches in the village Bolshie Berezhki Kaliningrad Oblast. In 2020, in the same region, in the village Perevalovo collapsedа church built in 1808. Several other Lutheran churches in the region were partially destroyed. Leningrad region crumbling 17th century church.

Photo: Kaspyinfo.ru