Maria Mikhailovna Kiseleva (1798, 1887) was an outstanding philanthropist whose work gained worldwide recognition during her lifetime. She came from the noble family of Chegodaevs and was married to Alexander Grigorievich Kiselev (1781, 1847), a representative of a distinguished noble lineage.

The main goal of Maria Mikhailovna and her husband was boundless love for God and people, as well as mercy and compassion for the sick and needy. After her husband's death, she devoted herself entirely to charity. In Penza, at her initiative, two buildings of a charitable institution were constructed, which are now used as hospitals on Kuibyshev Street, 33 and Krasnaya Street, 23.

Maria Mikhailovna considered the organization of the charitable institution and care for its wards the main work of her life. Over the 50 years of the institution's existence, it provided shelter for 568 men and 759 women; additionally, 264 people received monetary aid, 601 people received food, and 3367 pilgrims were offered shelter and meals during their stops in Penza.

For the establishment of the charitable institution in Penza, Maria Mikhailovna was awarded a Highest Rescript from Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, expressing gratitude and favor. In her will, she left a significant sum for the needs of the institution.

Maria Mikhailovna also actively invested in the construction and decoration of churches, monasteries, and spiritual schools not only in Penza and its surroundings but also in other regions of Russia and abroad. She donated to the Holy Mountain Athos, especially to the Athos Andrew Skete, and supported holy sites in Palestine and Siberia. She directed significant donations to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Russian Spiritual Mission for the needs of pilgrims.