Church of the Saviour, Baku
Encyclopedia
The Church of the Saviour (also known as the kirkha, from the German word "Kirche") is a Lutheran church in Baku
, Azerbaijan
(28 May Street
), built with donations by parishioner Adolf Eichler
and consecrated on March 14, 1899. It is now a Ministry of Culture concert hall. The Gothic
style church features a portal
crowned with a decorated pediment
. While Azerbaijan's Evangelical
community ceased to exist in 1936, the church survived the Stalinist period because of petitions to Joseph Stalin
in which the petitioners promised, in return for sparing the church, to pray for him till death. Nevertheless, Pastor Paul Hamburg and seven other members of the local Lutheran community were executed by firing squad on November 1, 1937.
The land parcel of 1400 square sazhens (6373 m²) for the church was assigned by the City Duma
on January 30, 1885. Local residents asked Eichler to make the church similar to one in Helenendorf, but he instead used his own unique style. The cornerstone-laying ceremony was held on Sunday, March 21, 1896 with the Baku governor Lileyev and the city head Iretsky being present. Emmanuel Nobel, his stepmother and Ludvig Nobel
's second wife also attended the ceremony. The church's name was announced at that moment. On June 24, 1898, a thirteen-pud
(213 kg) gilded cross was raised atop the church. In early 1899 a bell and an organ
were installed. The consecration ceremony gathered over one thousand people. On April 23, 1900 the church housed its first organ concert, where Johann Sebastian Bach
's works were performed. On December 1, 1996, the Nobel family remembrance evening was held in the church. In 2001 the church was closed for renovation work.
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
(28 May Street
28 May Street
The 28 May Street is located in the Nəsimi raion of Baku. Beginning at the Richard Sorge Street, it spans about and ends up at the Bulbul Avenue. The street was known as Telefonnaya during the Russian rule, then was renamed to 28 April Street to mark the date of the establishment of Azerbaijan...
), built with donations by parishioner Adolf Eichler
Adolf Eichler
Adolf Wilhelm Eichler was a German civil architect, best known for building the Saviour's Church and participating in boulevard development, both in Baku. He committed suicide.-Notes:...
and consecrated on March 14, 1899. It is now a Ministry of Culture concert hall. The Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style church features a portal
Portal (architecture)
Portal is a general term describing an opening in the walls of a building, gate or fortification, and especially a grand entrance to an important structure. Doors, metal gates or portcullis in the opening can be used to control entry or exit. The surface surrounding the opening may be made of...
crowned with a decorated pediment
Pediment
A pediment is a classical architectural element consisting of the triangular section found above the horizontal structure , typically supported by columns. The gable end of the pediment is surrounded by the cornice moulding...
. While Azerbaijan's Evangelical
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
community ceased to exist in 1936, the church survived the Stalinist period because of petitions to Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
in which the petitioners promised, in return for sparing the church, to pray for him till death. Nevertheless, Pastor Paul Hamburg and seven other members of the local Lutheran community were executed by firing squad on November 1, 1937.
The land parcel of 1400 square sazhens (6373 m²) for the church was assigned by the City Duma
Duma
A Duma is any of various representative assemblies in modern Russia and Russian history. The State Duma in the Russian Empire and Russian Federation corresponds to the lower house of the parliament. Simply it is a form of Russian governmental institution, that was formed during the reign of the...
on January 30, 1885. Local residents asked Eichler to make the church similar to one in Helenendorf, but he instead used his own unique style. The cornerstone-laying ceremony was held on Sunday, March 21, 1896 with the Baku governor Lileyev and the city head Iretsky being present. Emmanuel Nobel, his stepmother and Ludvig Nobel
Ludvig Nobel
Ludvig Immanuel Nobel was an engineer, a noted businessman and a humanitarian. One of the most prominent members of the Nobel family, he was the son of Immanuel Nobel and Alfred Nobel's older brother...
's second wife also attended the ceremony. The church's name was announced at that moment. On June 24, 1898, a thirteen-pud
Pood
Pood , is a unit of mass equal to 40 funt . It is approximately 16.38 kilograms . It was used in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Pood was first mentioned in a number of documents of the 12th century....
(213 kg) gilded cross was raised atop the church. In early 1899 a bell and an organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
were installed. The consecration ceremony gathered over one thousand people. On April 23, 1900 the church housed its first organ concert, where Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
's works were performed. On December 1, 1996, the Nobel family remembrance evening was held in the church. In 2001 the church was closed for renovation work.