Were you aware that hidden in the depths of Mikhailovsky Park near the shore of the Gulf of Finland stands a testament to faith and history? We are standing before the Church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga. This beautiful building is located at Sankt-Peterburgskoe highway 109 in Strelna.
The Church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga is a unique landmark. It is one of the few churches in St. Petersburg dedicated to this revered saint. Before the revolution in 1917, there were only five such churches. This church was envisioned as a house church for the family of Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich.
Emperor Nicholas I began forming new palace and park ensembles along the Peterhof road. He acquired land and commissioned construction for his sons. Each son built a residence. Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich acquired Mikhailovka. In the depths of Mikhailovsky Park on the upper terrace of the Gulf of Finland’s shore stands the Church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga.
Professor of architecture David Ivanovich Grimm designed the church in 1861. Grimm was an academician of the Academy of Arts and a court councilor. The Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna approved this design.
D.I. Grimm not only designed the church. He also oversaw all construction work. The construction was supposed to be completed by the autumn of 1863. However due to brick shortages from the Znamensky brick factory the work was delayed. Half of the bricks were delivered late from St. Petersburg.
The church was inspected and accepted by a commission on September 6 1864. Karl Ziegler and Eduard Gan were among the architects of the commission.
The Church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga’s architecture is remarkable. It was built in the ancient Russian style. The main volume is surrounded by an open arched gallery. This gallery is supported by cushion-shaped columns made of light Bremen sandstone. The gallery rises to a high level and connects with two sides of the altar.
Critic V.V. Stasov praised the church. He said architect D.I. Grimm skillfully used decorations. These highlighted the composition’s volume.
Inside the Church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, the altar is located in the northeast. The room of Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich and Olga Feodorovna is in the northwest.
Empress Maria Alexandrovna presented the Gospel to Olga Feodorovna. This was for the consecration of the church.
The iconostasis was made of solid wood and gilded. There were more than 50 icons. Many icons were gifts to Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich. Two icons depicted the patron saints of the Grand Duke. These were Saint Archangel Michael and his family.
The altar and the vestry had vaulted ceilings. The floors in the church were mosaic. The walls were adorned with copper railings.
Not far from the Church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga stood a bell tower. The bell tower had four columns. During the war, the bell tower was destroyed.
Despite being located away from the main buildings in Mikhailovka, the Church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga harmoniously blended in. Before the 1917 revolution, it served as a house church for the Grand Duke’s family.
Today the Church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga stands as a symbol of faith. It reflects the rich history of the Mikhailovka estate. This beautiful church reminds us of Saint Olga and her devotion.