The Church of the Archangel Michael in Tyumen, allegedly, was built in 1616. At least, the first mention of him in the annals refers precisely to this date. The history of this amazing church, its architectural features, temple shrines and unusual facts will be described in this essay.
Church history
The Church of the Archangel Michael in Tyumen, as mentioned above, in 1616, according to the annals, already existed. However, after 81 years there was a big fire, and due to the fact that the church was built of wood, it burned down in a matter of minutes.
In 1781, a stone two-tier church was laid on the site of a burnt temple. The blessing for the new construction was given by the bishop of Tobolsk and Siberian Varlaam. Initially, it was assumed that the revived church would have only one floor, and one chapel would be added to it in honor of St. Baptist John the Baptist.
But during the construction, a decision was made - to build a two-story building and place a warm church on the ground floor in honor of the Archangel Michael. Upon completion of construction, in early June 1791, the church was consecrated by the abbot Troadius from the Trinity Monastery.
On the second floor a church was created in honor of John the Baptist. This chapel was consecrated in August 1824 by Archimandrite Ambrose of the Trinity Monastery.
The beginning of the restoration
After they consecrated the chapel on the second floor, the main church of the Archangel Michael in Tyumen already needed restoration and repair. It was necessary to replace the throne, the iconostasis and remake the floor. Two years later, the repair work was completed. About 600 rubles were spent on this, which at that time was a very impressive amount. At the end of September 1824, the temple was consecrated again.
In 1836, the following buildings were erected: a stone fence around the church with a wrought-iron grating, a wooden wing, and two gates made of wood and iron. Also near the gate on the east side was built a stone shop in the shape of a chapel in which candles were sold. In 1840, at the insistence of the churchwarden, the Church of the Archangel Michael in Tyumen was plastered and whitewashed inside and out. The roof was repaired and painted green, and the tops with crosses were covered with gilding. Two years later, the floors on the upper and lower floors were completely replaced.
Church in the second half of the 19th century
At the end of 1856, in the church of St. Michael the Archangel Michael in Tyumen, on the initiative of the elder, the construction of a new structure for the almshouse begins. A building is also being built to house priests and other ministers of the church.
In 1860, a number of restoration work was carried out, and the iconostasis was also changing. Since 1892, the parish Sunday School operated at the church. In 1897, the question was raised about the construction of an aisle on the north side in the name of the righteous Verkhotursky miracle worker Simeon. The need for its construction was explained by the increase in the number of parishioners, which was especially felt on major Orthodox holidays. These days, believers not only could not pray in the temple, but even went inside.
In early May 1898, a solemn laying of the chapel was carried out. At the end of 1899 a new chapel was consecrated and began its work.
Temple in the 20th century
After the revolution, in October 1917, the history of the Church of the Archangel Michael in Tyumen does not develop in the best way. So, at the end of April 1922, a large-scale campaign began to be taken across the country to seize values from churches. More than five pounds of church utensils from silver, as well as precious stones, were withdrawn from the temple.
In mid-June 1925, the Tyumen District Executive Committee decided: to transfer the temple to the authority of the renovation Tyumen diocese. Four years later, in December, the church was closed.
In the period from 34 to 45 years of the XX century, the temple building was reconstructed three times. In 1934, the domes were removed, and the premises were converted into an office and a club. In another part of it there is a warehouse and a garage. In 1941, a laundry room was created for the needs of a nearby garrison. In 1945, a dormitory and a dining room were arranged on the premises of the temple. Three years later, the building was used by SMU-3 (construction and installation management).
In 1976, the temple was taken under state protection as a monument of culture and history of regional significance. In August 1986, the City Council decided to transfer the church of the Archangel Michael in Tyumen for a long-term lease to the Omsk-Tyumen diocese. It creates an ecumenical and peacekeeping center. However, the temple remained under the jurisdiction of the museum of local lore for another two years.
Church restoration
In July 1991, the church was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Tobolsk-Tyumen diocese and became attributed to the Znamensky Cathedral. Six years later, restoration work began, during which the fours of the church, the bell tower and the domes were recreated and repaired. Also restored temple vaults.
Since 1998, the interior decoration of the upper church begins, a staircase to the second floor is being built. Then restoration work began, at the end of which frescoes dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries were recreated.
According to the new schedule, a service was held in the church of the Archangel Michael in Tyumen in November 1999.
Through the efforts of parishioners and patrons, the church was gradually completely restored. They installed new gilded crosses, carved iconostases in the aisles of the temple. In 2005, new bells were set up and consecrated. Since 2002, a gymnasium and a library have been erected on donations from parishioners, and a year later the Sunday school for children begins its work.
Church of the Archangel Michael in Tyumen: address
The church is located at the address: 22, Lenin Street, Tyumen. Currently, after numerous reconstructions, the church is a building made in the classical temple style of the XVIII-XIX centuries. The temple has one dome, but two tops, the second is located on the bell tower. The main building is a regular quad with two aisles. Visually, it seems that the church is very high and, as it were, stretched up. This was achieved thanks to the architectural techniques of the masters. The white color of the temple gives the building a larger volume.
Schedule of services in the church of the Archangel Michael in Tyumen: Daily from 8-00 to 18-00. However, during the great Orthodox holidays, the schedule changes somewhat.
Once in Tyumen, you must visit this church. In addition to its architectural beauty and rich history, this place has an unusual aura, which attracts the ships of many pilgrims and ordinary tourists.