Temple of Alexander Nevsky (Tula): the history of the shrine and its condition today

In ancient cities of our country today, many ancient buildings and religious buildings are being restored. Not so long ago, the faithful of the Tula region returned the ancient temple of Alexander Nevsky. Tula is a fairly large city, in which there are many churches and cathedrals. Today we will tell about one of its most beautiful temples.

Erection of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Evfimiy Kharitonovich Kuchin - Tula merchant of the third guild, who lived in the XIX century. He became famous as one of the largest fur traders in the city and an assistant to the city elder in the Duma. Euthymius Kuchin died at the age of 80. In his spiritual testament, he ordered to build a church and consecrate it in the name of Alexander Nevsky.

Evfimiy Kuchin personally pointed out the place on which the temple should be built. The remote outskirts of the city long ago needed its own church. People here lived simple and poor, and sometimes it was difficult for them to get to the temples located at a distance. The news of the testament of a deceased merchant greatly pleased the public. Everyone was impatiently waiting for the Alexander Nevsky Church to be built. Tula in the XIX century was already a fairly rich city due to the developed industry.

When it turned out that Kuchin left 20,000 rubles missing, a collection of voluntary donations was opened. Very soon the necessary amount was collected. The temple project was designed by the architect Bashkirov, and the Emperor Alexander II personally claimed. June 12, 1881 was laid the church of Alexander Nevsky. On July 7, 1886, the church was consecrated and began to receive parishioners.

The first temple in the Russian-Byzantine style in Tula

This temple is a unique building for the city in terms of architecture. The church is made in the Russian-Byzantine style. The temple is crowned by one large head, there were also four decorative glazes of a small size. The belfry was located above the porch, it was distinguished by a flat roof - an atypical solution for Orthodox churches.

The interior of the temple was also decorated in an original way. Only the ceiling was painted with holy images, the walls were painted with oil paint. The carved oak iconostases were expressive. Many parishioners immediately loved the temple of Alexander Nevsky. Tula is a city whose rich inhabitants at any time with a contentment were engaged in charity. Very soon after the opening, the temple was surrounded by a beautiful fence, near it was broken the church garden. The work was carried out with the funds of patrons. A little later, as well as donations of influential townspeople, an almshouse and a parochial school with a library were opened.

History of the temple in the times of the USSR

In the 1920s, the church was closed and handed over to the renewal community. After a while the building of the temple passed to the labor school. And the last owner was the bakery. In 1991 the church was recognized as a monument of history and architecture.

However, even then she was in a deplorable state. Decorative chapters were lost, the main one was beheaded, the inner walls were tiled, and instead of the iconostases, stoves were installed.

In the restoration needed and the facades of the building. Thanks to the active work of public organizations, in 2003 the church of Alexander Nevsky was returned to the faithful. Tula had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Very soon, restoration work was started.

Revival of the Shrine

Restoration of the temple required significant material investment. For this reason, the church was restored longer than originally erected. In 2005, a cross was erected over the temple. Gradually, the facades were plastered and painted in historical colors. Then the restoration of frescoes and interior decoration of the church was carried out.

If you wish, you can see with your own eyes the restored temple of Alexander Nevsky (Tula). Address attractions and Orthodox shrines: st. Sophia Perovskaya, building 5. Today the temple is active, it hosts services.