The Lutheran Church of St. Anne, known as Annenkirche, is one of the most beautiful temples in the center of St. Petersburg. The building often serves as a venue for organ music concerts and other cultural events.

History of the Church

The first Lutheran church was built in the early 18th century on the territory of the Peter and Paul Fortress. The Lutheran congregation is considered even older than St. Petersburg itself, as many foreigners lived here.

Initially, the temple was wooden. Later, it was moved from the fortress to the Petersburg side, and then to the Liteyny district. As the community grew, the Lutherans asked Peter I for land for a new church. A plot was allocated in the area of the current Kirchnaya Street. Funds for construction were raised among parishioners both in Russia and abroad. In 1722, the church was consecrated.

However, it did not stand for long. In the mid-1730s, a new wooden church was built according to the design of Peter Yeropkin, the well-known compiler of the first general plan of St. Petersburg. The building, although wooden, stood on a stone foundation and was decorated with mosaics and a spire.

In 1741, the temple was consecrated as Annenkirche, or the Church of St. Anne. Nearby, the St. Anne School, Annenshule, was opened. The first teacher was Pastor Johann Leonard Shattner. The school was funded by parishioners, among whom were wealthy individuals.

With donations from Sofia-Charlotte Vladimirovna-Müller, a new stone church building was constructed from 1775 to 1779 according to the design of Yuri Felten, a renowned architect of St. Petersburg.

Yuri Felten also created Palace Square, the interiors of the Winter Palace, and participated in the design of the Bronze Horseman. After Rastrelli left Russia, Felten became the chief architect of the city.

In 1820, the street on which the church stood was renamed Kirchnaya. In 1888, a gymnasium was added to Annenshule, which was a novelty for the city. In the early 20th century, an elementary school building was constructed next to the church.

Characteristics of the New Church

The new stone building of Annenkirche was designed in the classical style and accommodated 1,500 people. The spire was absent, but the building was adorned with an Ionic colonnade and a large dome.

The main facade of the church was designed as a rotunda with Ionic columns, above which rose a dome replacing the bell tower. The interior was also decorated with Ionic columns.

The church featured the painting "The Ascension of Christ" by Lipgart. Like in the Petrikirche, an organ from the Walker company, purchased with donations, was installed.

Among the notable parishioners were the Fabergé family, industrial magnate Joachim Gottfried Kuerstner, the Felten family, and others. Here, Emilia Timm and artist Karl Bryullov were married.

Lutherans in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is traditionally considered the center of Lutheranism in Russia. In the early 20th century, the congregation numbered nearly 13,000 people, uniting Lutherans and Protestants.

The community initially formed around the Liteyny and Cannon yards and included Germans, Danes, Estonians, Dutch, and English.

Under Annenkirche, almshouses, an orphanage, poor relief, shelters, and a seminary operated. Annenshule accepted children of all religions, but instruction was predominantly in German. By 1860, about a third of the students were Orthodox.

By the early 20th century, nearly 2,000 students attended the school. Teaching was conducted according to the plan of the German real school. The structure included gymnasiums, schools, real and commercial departments.

The community included representatives of various professions: doctors, pharmacists, engineers, jewelers, and financiers. The school was considered one of the best in the city. Forty graduates became students at leading universities.

Over the years, Annenshule graduated ethnographer N.N. Miklukho-Maklai, orientalist V.V. Struve, physician P.F. Lesgaft, lawyer A.F. Koni, and others.

In addition to Annenshule, there were other Lutheran educational institutions in the city, which were closed after the revolution. In the 1920s, Kirchnaya Street was renamed "Militant Atheists" due to the churches located here.

Cinema and Reconstruction of the Building

With the onset of World War I and during the Soviet era, persecution of Lutherans began. Many parishioners of German descent left the country.

By 1938, all Lutheran parishes in the USSR were destroyed, including the pastorate of the Evangelical Church with 2,000 parishioners. Only three people survived.

The cross was removed from Annenkirche, and services were banned. The building was reconstructed according to the design of Alexander Gegello. In 1939, the "Spartak" cinema opened here, becoming popular among residents.

Inside, a balcony, staircase, cloakroom, and box office appeared. A buffet was arranged in the chapel area. The church's frescoes were lost, the statues of Peter and Paul disappeared, and a screen hung in the altar area.

Annenshule was converted into a labor school, and later into a school with a focus on physics and mathematics. Notable students included Joseph Brodsky, Evgeny Klyachkin, Viktor Korchnoi, Boris Grebenshchikov, and others.

In 1998, the "Spartak" rock club opened in place of the cinema, featuring gaming machines and a casino. The club existed until a fire in 2002, which completely destroyed the building.

Current State of the Temple

The temple is now returned to the community and partially restored. The facade and roof are perfectly finished, and the chapel on the second floor has been remodeled.

Services and concerts are held at Annenkirche, where one can hear the organ and harpsichord. Lectures and exhibitions are conducted in the building and its basements.

A unique feature of Annenkirche is the charred wooden grand staircase, often used for shooting music videos and photo sessions. The black ambiance has become popular with visitors, and restoration is not planned yet. This adds a mystical element, as in the 19th century, the basements housed a morgue. It is said that footsteps can still be heard here, and ghosts can be seen.