Malaya Konyushennaya st. 1-3B.
The Swedish Church, formally known as the Evangelical Lutheran Church
of Saint Catherine (Russian: Шведская церковь Святой Екатерины), is a
historic Lutheran church in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Located at 1-3
Malaya Konyushennaya Street in the city's central district, it stands
near the bustling Nevsky Prospect and adjacent to the Swedish General
Consulate. This church has served as a spiritual and cultural center for
the Swedish community in Russia for over three centuries, reflecting the
intertwined histories of Sweden, Finland, and Russia. It is often
referred to simply as the "Swedish Church" due to its origins with
Swedish expatriates and its ongoing ties to Swedish heritage. The
building is recognized as an architectural monument and continues to
host religious services and cultural events.
The church's roots trace back to 1632, when an Evangelical Lutheran
parish was established in the Swedish fortress of Nyen (Nyenskans) on
the Neva River delta, serving Swedish-speaking Finns and other
Scandinavians in the region. Following Russia's conquest during the
Great Northern War (1700–1721), the Swedish inhabitants were resettled
in the newly founded Saint Petersburg in 1703, where the parish
initially met in private homes. In 1730–1734, Empress Anna Ivanovna
donated land on Bolshaya Konyushennaya Street, leading to the
construction of a wooden church dedicated to St. Anne.
In 1745, the
congregation split along ethnic lines: the Finnish members retained the
Church of St. Anne (later relocating to form the Church of St. Mary on
Bolshaya Konyushennaya), while the Swedish group established a prayer
house on Malaya Morskaya Street. A stone church was built on the current
site between 1767 and 1769 by architect Yuri Matveyevich Felten in a
classical style to meet the needs of the Swedish Lutheran community.
This structure was replaced in 1863–1865 with the present building,
designed by Swedish architect Carl (Karl) Andersson (also spelled C.K.
Andersson or Karl Anderson), who was born in Sweden but worked in Saint
Petersburg. Funding for the reconstruction came from parishioners,
Emperor Alexander II, and Swedish Count Armfelt, with interior work
overseen by local architects at Armfelt's behest. The church was
consecrated in 1865 and quickly became a hub, including orphanages for
boys and girls, an almshouse, and a parish school.
By the early 20th
century, membership had peaked at around 7,000, with about 5,000 members
just before the 1917 Russian Revolution. Notable parishioners included
jeweler Carl Fabergé, members of the Nobel family (including Alfred
Nobel's father Immanuel), and future Finnish President Carl Gustaf
Mannerheim, who married there. The church was a required stop for
visiting Swedish royalty, such as Kings Gustav III, Gustav IV Adolf,
Oscar II, Gustav V, and Prince Wilhelm. However, the Revolution
disrupted operations; services continued sporadically until 1936, when
Soviet authorities closed the church and repurposed it as a gymnasium
and sports hall, complete with basketball courts and other
modifications. During the Soviet era, archives were transferred to
Sweden in 1938, and the building fell into disrepair.
Following the
collapse of the Soviet Union and the 1990 law on religious freedom, the
congregation was revived in 1991, registering as the successor to the
1632 parish and reclaiming the building. Evicting the sports school took
until 2005, after which the congregation gained 49-year disposition
rights. Renovations have been ongoing since the mid-1990s, supported by
the Church of Sweden and Swedish diplomats, including discussions
between Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson and Russian President
Vladimir Putin in 2001. The city handles exterior maintenance (e.g.,
roof), while the congregation manages the interior.
The current structure, completed in 1865, is designed in a neo-Romanesque style with Byzantine influences, creating a monumental yet elegant and light appearance. The exterior features pale-colored facades that enhance its airy feel, rows of narrow arched windows for natural light, a prominent portal entrance, and a rosette window above it. The design avoids excessive ornamentation, emphasizing simplicity and spirituality to detach worshippers from worldly distractions. The church can accommodate up to 1,200 people, making it one of the larger Lutheran churches in the city.
The interior mirrors the exterior's Byzantine elements, with clean lines and elegant decor fostering a serene atmosphere. Key features include restored walls, ceilings, and windows, though some Soviet-era alterations—such as a divided nave and visible basketball markings on the floor—persist and are subjects of ongoing renovation debates. A notable addition is the modern painting "Mid-Summer Festival" by artists Daglat and Tatarnikov, added during recent restorations. The space is functional for worship, with an altar area that reflects traditional Lutheran minimalism.
Today, the church is an active part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia (ELC, formerly ELCROS), operating autonomously with fewer than 50 members, primarily Russians interested in Scandinavian culture rather than ethnic Swedes. Lutheran services are held in Swedish and Russian every second and fourth Sunday at 5:00 PM. It functions as an ecumenical hub, hosting Anglican English-language services and Korean Presbyterian gatherings, and is rented out to other groups for financial sustainability. Culturally, it celebrates Swedish traditions like Midsummer’s Eve and St. Lucia Day, and hosts events such as choral festivals, brass concerts, and art exhibitions. The Church of Sweden maintains loose cultural ties but no formal ecclesiastical control, viewing it as a symbol of Swedish presence in Russia. The adjacent Shvedsky Lane (Swedish Lane) derives its name from the church, underscoring its historical imprint on the neighborhood.
Jacob Meidelin (until 1729)
Juhann Terne (1729)
Gustav Levanus
(1730-1749)
Isaak Hugberg (1749-1783)
Emmanuel Indrenius
(1784-1792)
Juhann Genrik Signeus (1793-1798)
Nils Adolf Donner
(1799-1800)
Karl Tavast (1801-1825)
Erik Gustaf Ehrström
(1826-1835)
Gustav Friedrich Zandt (1836-1881)
Lars Peter Reinhold
Hofren (1881-1884)
Herman Kajanus (1885-1913)
Nils Arthur Malm
(1913-1918)
Selim Hjalmari Laurikkala, (1932-1934)