Among the churches of Samara, and there are about thirty of them, most are founded in the second half of the 20th century and at the beginning of the two thousandth. Over twenty temples were built before the revolution. They are architectural monuments and are included in the list of the main attractions of Samara.
Churches and monasteries in the twenties of the last century, as you know, were closed as part of the anti-religious campaign. Many were completely destroyed. Churches of Samara, founded before 1917:
- Ascension Cathedral.
- Pokrovsky Cathedral.
- Church of Peter and Paul.
- Sophia temple.
- Temple of the Archangel Michael.
Ascension Cathedral
This church in Samara is the oldest. It was built in the forties of the XIX century. The church differs from other temples in Samara not only by age, but also by its architectural appearance. The building is designed in the style of classicism.
Construction began in 1841. Prior to this, local residents raised funds for the construction of the temple for several years. One of the Samara merchants, who made a contribution of ten thousand rubles, accelerated this process.
A few years after the construction was completed, the Ascension Cathedral was given the status of a cathedral. However, they immediately raised the question of building a new church. This temple did not fully correspond to the honorable status, although it was lost only in 1849, after the consecration of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
In 1918, a decree was signed on the nationalization of buildings belonging to the Church. Representatives of the new government seized temple values. In the late twenties, many priests and deacons renounced the dignity, among them were those who served in the Ascension Cathedral. The temple was closed, the dome was destroyed. For a long time, a club of handicraftsmen was located within the walls of the church. The restoration of the temple began in 1990.
Address of the church: Samara, Stepan Razin street, 78.
Pokrovsky Cathedral
At the beginning of the XIX century, that is, about fifty years before the construction of this church, Samara, of course, looked completely different. Where the Pokrovsky Cathedral is located, there were few residential buildings. True, there was a small wooden church. After several decades, new quarters appeared. There was a need for a more spacious church.
Local residents raised funds for the construction of a stone church and applied to the local bishop for permission to build. The initiative came from wealthy merchants who donated more than thirty thousand rubles. The application was granted. The construction of the temple was completed four years later.
In 1917, the Intercession Cathedral became one of the centers of the heresy of "Renovationism". Over the next ten years, all the churches of Samara were closed or destroyed. Only Pokrovsky Cathedral remained.
In 1977, one of the participants in a festive demonstration in honor of the October Revolution threw a sparkler in the temple window. A fire broke out, after which the church was restored for four years.
Pokrovsky temple is designed in the style characteristic of samples of Moscow architecture of the 17th century. This is a five-domed church with a tented bell tower at the entrance. Holds up to two thousand people. Church address: Samara, Leninskaya street, 70 A.
Church of Peter and Paul
The temple was built in 1865. And here, of course, could not do without wealthy citizens. All expenses were incurred by the merchant Andrei Golovachev.
15 years after completion of construction, a parish school for boys was opened on the territory of the temple. A little later, the main building was completely restored at the expense of the son of the main philanthropist. In 1939, the temple was closed and used as a military warehouse.
Divine services in the church of Peter and Paul were resumed in 1990. The temple is located at: Buyanova street, 135 A.
Sophia temple
Where this church is located, a shelter for orphans was created in the seventies of the XIX century. Later, the trustee of this organization bought the land. On it, and built a temple for the shelter.
In 1918, the shelter was closed. The church was abolished 10 years later. The walls of the temple housed the Museum of the Revolution. In November 1991, the church was returned to believers. Temple address: Sokolova street, 1 A.
Church of the Archangel Michael
According to one of the city legends, John of Kronstadt, having arrived in Samara in 1902, consecrated the place where the church was soon built. This event was long-awaited for residents of the village of New Orenburg. The nearest church was far away.
The history of the Temple of the Archangel Michael begins in 1905. The first church here was wooden, small. After 10 years, a stone temple was built in its place, which was able to accommodate everyone.
In 1929 the temple was closed. Within its walls was a school. During the Great Patriotic War there was a hospital. Restoration work began in 1993 and continues to this day.
New temples
In the nineties of the last century, eight churches were built in Samara. Among them are the Holy Resurrection Cathedral, the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh. In 2000, six churches were consecrated. The temple of Spiridon of Trimifunts is the youngest in Samara. Located at: street of the Soviet Army, house 251 B.