Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Samara) - a unique architectural monument

Catholic dioceses in the Russian Empire appeared in the middle of the XVIII century. Catherine II allowed immigrants who profess Catholicism, build temples and perform services. Most of the Catholics settled in the Samara province.

At that time, churches were only allowed to be built in colonies or villages, so there was nowhere to pray for the inhabitants of Samara (Catholics). Then the merchant Yegor Annaev made an initiative to build a church within the city limits. The permission was not obtained immediately, but thanks to E. Annayev's perseverance, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Samara) was still built. The decision in favor of believers was taken by the governor AA Artsimovich, a Pole by nationality and a Catholic by faith.

The erection of the church and his life before the revolution

The place for construction was chosen in the forty-ninth quarter, at the intersection of future streets of Kuibyshev and Nekrasovskaya. Plots of land for construction sold burghers Novocreschenov, Kanonov, Razladskaya and Zelenova.

The Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Samara) was designed by the architect from Moscow, Foma Bogdanovich. There are also versions that Nikolay Eremeev or a team of architects from St. Petersburg was engaged in the project of the church. Construction work was performed by Nizhny Novgorod bricklayers, headed by Alexander Shcherbachev. A magnificent Austrian organ was installed inside the church.

The newly built Catholic Church was consecrated in 1906. The first divine service was performed by the kurat of the Samara parish I. Lapshis. The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Samara) remained active until the 1920s.

In addition to worship services, the church actively engaged in charity. Those in need received money, clothing, food, and a roof over their heads. Members of the charitable society spent evenings with music, dancing and lottery. At the church opened a public library and a reading room.

During the First World War, priests and parishioners helped refugees and prisoners of war. Victims of military operations were in a difficult situation, they needed medical assistance. Shelters were opened for migrant children from the western provinces.

The fate of the temple in the period of the USSR

With the coming to power of the Bolsheviks, the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Samara shared the fate of many churches of the Soviet Union. The church was deprived of the right to dispose of the metric books. Acts of civil status were drawn up in newly established bodies (registry offices). The churches, buildings, property were taken away, and the parishes, called collectives of believers, obliged to negotiate with the state for the use of the church for worship services.

The transfer of the church's property to the state occurred in 1918. At the same time, they signed an agreement on transferring the premises to the parish. In 1922, church utensils made of gold and precious metals were confiscated in favor of the starving Volga region.

In the 30 years of the last century, the children's theater was located in the church building, in the 40s - the museum of local lore, later the building was given to the theatrical technical school and building club. Believers were offered to pray in the Smolensk chapel, but the priest I. Lunkevich did not agree, arguing that Catholics praise God only in the cruciform church.

After the closure of the church, the Catholic community gradually collapsed. The building of the church was deprived of crosses on towers, some elements of decoration and an organ. In 1934, the building organization, in charge of which the church was located, proposed to rebuild the church, dividing the building into two floors, but the architectural and expert council did not approve of this venture, citing the construction of the values of culture.

Revival

The Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Samara) acquired a new life in 1991. The church was again given to the parish. At different times, the services were conducted by the priests J. Gunchaga, T. Picus, T. Benouch, T. Donahi. O. Thomas took care of housing for the clergy and the repair of the church. In 2001, crosses returned to the spiers.

The present appearance of the temple

The church was built in the style of the Gothic Revival. The shape of the building is cross-shaped with a transverse transept. Two towers rush into the sky, the height of which is 47 meters. The entrance to the church is decorated with a stained glass window depicting the Virgin Mary. The altar houses the fresco "Christ on the Cross" (Salvador Dali, copy).

Among the visitors of the church are not only residents of the city, but also tourists who want to admire the monument of architecture, which is the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Samara). Photos of works of art are beautiful in any foreshortening.

The building of the church is unique in its own way. Gothic style lost its popularity in the late 16th century. To build the religious buildings of Catholicism, other styles were used. Similar in architecture, the church, the church of St. Anne, was built in Vilnius. The church is older than Samara in the IV century, but in the guise of churches there is some similarity. Probably, Foma Osipovich Bogdanovich, when creating the Moscow and Volga churches, was guided precisely by the Vilnius church.

Coming

Catechism is regularly held for the parishioners of the church. Those wishing to enter the ranks of the church are studying the basics of Christianity and dogma. Temple officials organize ecumenical meetings. During the meetings, issues of achieving Christian unity or, at least, understanding between Christian faiths are considered.

In the church there is a biblical circle, a library, the editorial office of the parish newspaper. Concerts of classical and sacred music are held in the premises of the church. The church is open both for individual visits and for excursions.

Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Samara): address

The Polish church in Samara is located at Frunze Street, 157. The buses, trams and taxis take you to the place. The nearest stops are "Strukovsky Park", "Frunze Street", "Krasnoarmeiskaya", "Philharmonic".

Parishioners and visitors note that the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (the Catholic Church in Samara) is a quiet and peaceful place where you can relax, get away from the daily bustle, reflect on life.

Samara church is recognized as a cultural monument. The building is protected by the state and is on the UNESCO list of cultural heritage.