Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saint Katarina

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saint Katarina is a white stone building featuring Romanesque Revival design, with tall windows lining its exterior walls. The structure displays the hallmark architectural characteristics of this style and forms an important visual landmark in the area.

The current building was constructed in 1885 by architect Carl Andersson, replacing an earlier 1767 structure that had served the Swedish community in Saint Petersburg. This rebuilding reflected the growth of the congregation throughout the 19th century.

The church serves several language communities, with regular services held in Swedish and Russian alongside congregations that worship in English and Korean. It remains a gathering place where different cultural traditions come together within the same walls.

The church is situated near Nevsky Prospekt, adjacent to the Swedish General Consulate, making it easy to locate within the city center. Visitors should note that access may vary depending on service schedules, so checking current information beforehand is advisable.

From 1936 until 1991, the Soviet authorities converted the building into a basketball court, a striking repurposing of a sacred space. After the collapse of communism, the church was restored to its religious function and reopened for worship.

Location: Saint Petersburg

Inception: 1767

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

Website: http://svenskaforeningen.spb.ru/Katarinakyrkan.html

GPS coordinates: 59.93847,30.32569

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:46