Catholic dioceses in the Russian Empire appeared in the middle of the 18th century. Catherine II allowed immigrants practicing Catholicism to build temples and perform divine services. Most of the Catholics settled in the Samara province.
At that time, it was allowed to build churches only in colonies or villages, so Samara residents (Catholics) had nowhere to pray. Then the merchant Yegor Annaev came up with the initiative to build a church within the city. It was not possible to get permission immediately, but thanks to the persistence of E. Annaev, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Samara) was still built. The decision in favor of believers was made by Governor A. A. Artsimovich, a Pole by nationality and a Catholic by religion.
The construction of the church and its life before the revolution
The place for construction was chosen in the forty-ninth quarter, at the intersection of future streets of Kuybyshev and Nekrasovskaya. Land for construction was sold by the townspeople Novokreschenov, Kanonov, Razladskaya and Zelenov.
The Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Samara) was designed by an architect from Moscow, Thomas Bogdanovich. There are also versions that the church was designed by Nikolai Eremeev or a team of architects from St. Petersburg. Construction work was carried out by Nizhny Novgorod masons led by Alexander Shcherbachev. A magnificent Austrian organ was installed inside the church.
The newly built Catholic Church was consecrated in 1906. The first service was performed by a kurat of the Samara parish I. Lapshis. The Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Samara) remained valid until the 1920s.
In addition to worship, the church was actively involved in charity work. Those in need received money, clothes, food, a roof over their heads. Members of the charity spent evenings with music, dancing and a lottery. A public library and a reading room were opened at the church.
During the First World War, clergy and parishioners helped refugees and prisoners of war. Victims of hostilities were in a difficult situation, in need of medical care. Shelters were opened for children of immigrants from western provinces.
The fate of the church during the USSR
With the Bolsheviks coming to power, the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Samara shared the fate of many churches of the Soviet Union. The church was deprived of the right to dispose of metric books. Acts of civil status were drawn up in newly established bodies (registry offices). Buildings and property were taken from churches, and parishes, called collectives of believers, were obligated to negotiate with the state regarding the use of the church for worship.
The transfer of church property to the state took place in 1918. Then they concluded an agreement on the transfer of premises to the parish. In 1922, church utensils made of gold and precious metals were confiscated in favor of the starving Volga region.
In the 30s of the last century, a children's theater was located in the church building, in the 40s - a museum of local lore, later the building was given to a theater college and a building club. Believers were offered to pray in the Smolensk chapel, but priest I. Lunkevich did not agree, citing the fact that Catholics praise God only in a cross-shaped church.
After the church closed, the Catholic community gradually fell apart. The church building has lost crosses on the towers, some elements of decoration and organ. In 1934, the construction organization, which was in charge of the church, proposed to rebuild the church, dividing the building into two floors, but the architectural and expert council did not approve of this venture, ranking the building as cultural values.
Rebirth
The Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Samara) found a new life in 1991. The church was again handed over to the parish. At different times, services were conducted by priests J. Gunchaga, T. Pikush, T. Benush, T. Donahi. O. Thomas took care of housing for the clergy and repair of the church. In 2001, crosses returned to the spiers.
The current appearance of the temple
The church was built in the neo-Gothic style. The shape of the building is cross-shaped with a transverse transept. Two towers rush into the sky, the height of which is 47 meters. The entrance to the church is decorated with a stained glass window depicting the Virgin Mary. The fresco "Christ on the Cross" is placed in the altar (Salvador Dali, copy).
Among the visitors to the church are not only residents of the city, but also tourists who want to admire the architectural monument, which is the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Samara). Photos of a work of art are beautiful from every angle.
The church building is unique in its own way. Gothic lost popularity at the end of the 16th century. For the construction of religious buildings of Catholicism began to use other styles. A temple similar in architecture, the church of St. Anne, was built in Vilnius. The church is older than Samara by the 4th century, but in the guise of temples there is some similarity. Perhaps Foma Osipovich Bogdanovich, when creating the Moscow and Volga churches, was guided specifically by the Vilnius church.
Coming
For parishioners of the church, catechesis is regularly held. Those wishing to join the ranks of the church are studying the basics of Christianity and dogma. Ministers of the temple organize ecumenical meetings. During the meetings, issues of achieving Christian unity, or at least understanding between Christian denominations, are considered.
The church has a bible circle, a library, and a parish newspaper. The temple holds concerts of classical and sacred music. The church is open both for individual visits and for excursions.
Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Samara): address
The Polish Church in Samara is located at 157 Frunze Street. They can be reached by buses, trams and minibuses. The nearest stops are Strukovsky Park, Frunze Street, Krasnoarmeyskaya, and the Philharmonic.
Parishioners and visitors note that the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Catholic Church in Samara) is a quiet and peaceful place where you can relax, renounce everyday fuss, and reflect on life.
Samara Church is recognized as a cultural monument. The building is protected by the state and is included in the list of cultural heritage of UNESCO.