Neo-Gothic Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist

St. Petersburg is known for its rich variety of Orthodox churches, but neo-Gothic churches are extremely rare here. In today’s article, we will tell you about one of these rare churches, which was founded in 1776 and consecrated in honor of the Nativity of John the Baptist. The church was built on Kamennoostrovsky Island according to the design of the outstanding architect Yuri Matveyevich Felten. It was erected in honor of the victory of the Russian fleet at Chesme, and the construction took only two years.

An interesting fact from the history of the church: after Paul the First ascended to the throne and the Knights of Malta arrived in Russia, its members took their oath in this church. A small cemetery for the knights of the order was created within the church's enclosure. However, after the emperor's death, the cemetery was abolished, and the remains were transferred to the Smolensk Cemetery. It is also worth noting that nearby lived Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin for some time, who baptized three of his children here: two sons and a daughter. Although there is no evidence, it is suggested that on the day of his duel with Dantes, the poet may have visited this church.

After the establishment of Soviet power, the church was looted and closed, remained in neglect for a long time, and was then used as a workshop. Later, the building housed a gym for a military sanatorium. Only in 1989 was the church returned to the faithful. Today it is active again, and services are held daily.

St. Petersburg, Kamennoostrovsky Avenue, 83