Did the church exist?

In the city of Yelets, Lipetsk region, a Lutheran church was built in 1904, depicted on a pre-revolutionary postcard. This building was erected for the workers of the Yelets Brewery, owned by the German Karl Kronberg, who invited them from Germany. The church had Gothic features: towers with spires, pointed windows, and a perspective portal.

In the early 21st century, the church housed a beer bar called "Ladya," whose owners were likely pleased with the Gothic style of the building. In 2002, the building was recognized as a cultural heritage site.

However, between 2010 and 2012, the owners carried out renovations and external finishing of the church for commercial purposes without approval from the cultural heritage protection authority. As a result, the building lost its original appearance, and all its decorative elements, including turrets, spires, and crosses, were destroyed.

In 2015, a historical and cultural examination showed that the loss of decorative elements is not final, and they can be restored during renovation. The court ordered the current owner of the building to develop scientific and project documentation and to carry out preservation work on the cultural heritage site by January 17, 2021.

Did you know about this church?