Torn down in the 1920s this sacred space stood defiant. Today we gather before a testament to faith’s enduring power the Church of Sergius of Radonezh on Khodynka Field.
Welcome to the story of the Church of Sergius of Radonezh on Khodynka Field. Its history is layered with military camps royal visits and ultimately renewal.
Imagine Khodynka Field in the late 19th century. Each summer military camps sprang up here. Over 30000 soldiers needed a place of worship. A small tent church met their needs. A permanent house of worship was needed. Moscow merchant Nikolai Kavarin proposed a wooden church. It would honor Sergius of Radonezh. It would also commemorate the Imperial Majesties surviving a disaster in 1883.
The wooden church was designed in the Russian style. Architect Ivan Khorodinov created the sketches. Moscow’s governor rejected them. Kavarin could not fully fund the church. A construction committee was formed. Wealthy merchants like Glinskiy Natruskin and Mikhailov donated funds. Other merchants donated materials. The Moscow City Duma also helped. Architect Khorodinov revised the design. Construction began in 1892 and finished the next year.
The Church of Sergius of Radonezh rose from the field. It had a stone foundation and wooden walls. The church featured a large central dome surrounded by smaller cupolas. Gilded crosses adorned every cupola. Inside galleries with stylish arches were adorned with stained glass windows. The walls had large painted panels. Clocks from Lipinskiy faced three sides. Eight bells hung in the bell tower. The church accommodated 1000 people. It cost 60000 rubles.
In 1919 the church closed. Authorities planned to convert it into a reading room or concert hall. Church valuables were inventoried noting damage and disarray. In the late 1920s the church was torn down. The reason cited was its negative impact on political work.
Decades later plans emerged to rebuild the church. Patriarch Alexy II approved a new church in 2000. Original drawings were lost. Plans were based on old photos and documents. The new Church of Sergius of Radonezh would resemble the old.
However some local residents opposed construction. The military opposed the construction of the Khodynka Ice Palace. A compromise was struck. The church was built at the old Frunze airfield. In 2012 the parish merged with the Church of Archangel Gabriel.
In 2015 construction began on a new design. The new Church of Sergius of Radonezh would reflect the surrounding architecture. It would blend traditional style with modern elements. In 2017 Patriarch Kirill consecrated the church. Today the Church of Sergius of Radonezh stands as a beacon of faith. It is a place for prayer community and remembrance on Khodynka Field.