“My house shall be called the house of prayer.” Those words, inscribed above the main entrance of the Catholic Church of St. Catherine, invite all to discover its rich history. This church is not just a building. It is a testament to faith, resilience, and international connections.
The Catholic Church of St. Catherine in St. Petersburg holds a unique place in Russian history. It is the oldest Catholic church in the Russian Federation. It also holds the title of basilica. This honor was granted in 2013. Located on Nevsky Prospekt, the church is part of the Archdiocese of Moscow.
The story begins in 1705. Peter the Great signed a charter allowing the construction of Catholic churches in Russia. The church was founded in 1710. However, it wasn’t the building we see today. In 1738, Empress Anna granted permission to erect a structure on Nevsky Prospekt. The project faced numerous challenges. Domenico Trezzini’s initial designs were abandoned in 1751.
French architect Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe created new designs in the 1760s. He returned to France in 1775. Italian architect Antonio Rinaldi completed the church. The church was completed on October 7, 1783. Empress Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great, inspired the church’s name. It was named after St. Catherine of Alexandria. The parish church was part of the Archdiocese of Mohilev then.
The Catholic Church of St. Catherine is linked to important figures. Stanisław II Augustus, the last king of Poland, was buried here in 1798. In 1938, his remains were returned to Poland after 140 years. French General Jean Victor Marie Moreau was buried here in 1813. Auguste de Montferrand, who built Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, was a parishioner. He married in the church. Later, his wake was held here. His wife then took his coffin back to France. Even in Imperial Russia, some aristocrats embraced Catholicism.
Different monastic orders ran the church throughout its history. Originally, Franciscans managed it. In 1800, Emperor Paul I gave the church to the Jesuits. Dominicans took over in 1815. Finally, in 1892, diocesan priests managed the church. A Dominican community remained. On the eve of the Russian Revolution in 1917, the church had over 30,000 members.
Under Soviet rule, the church faced repression. Monsignor Konstanty Budkiewicz, the rector, was arrested. He was accused of anti-Soviet agitation. This followed a show trial by Nikolai Krylenko. Budkiewicz was executed in Lubyanka Prison on Easter Sunday, 1923. His body was buried in a mass grave.
The church remained open until 1938. It was then closed and ransacked. Artifacts, icons, and books were thrown into the street. A fire in 1947 further damaged the church. For 30 years, it served as storage for the Museum of History of Religion and of Atheism. Later, plans to convert it into an organ hall failed due to another fire in 1984. The government then used it as offices and apartments.
After the Soviet Union’s collapse, the Catholic Church revived in Russia. In 1992, the city returned the building to the Church. Restoration began that year. A woman returned a crucifix she had saved from the ransacked church. The first restoration phase ended in 1992 with a temporary altar. The main altar was completed in 2000. Most of the church was restored by 2003. Restoration of the interior continues today.
The Catholic Church of St. Catherine stands as a symbol of faith. It is a symbol of perseverance. Its history reflects the struggles and triumphs of the Catholic community in Russia.