150th Church Anniversary in Perm

Perm, Russia

 For a 300 year-old city, a century and half is a significant “age.” The old, brick building brings a sense of comfort and trust – when the doors are open, people come in. This valuable inheritance was in the wrong hands for a while - in the 1930s the building served as a photo lab; later it was a club for actors. In the end the interior was split into two levels, and it changed so much as to be unrecognizable. Only in the past 20 years has the “kirche” been surrounded by the care of a loving congregation.

  The anniversary was an especially important event for those who put great effort and resources in to the church's restoration. Although the official “birthday” of the building is February 12, the congregation in Perm decided that it would combine this event with the church-wide celebration of Pentecost on June 8th. It was a great gift to receive visitors as brothers and sisters in Christ from Moscow, Ulyanovsk and Kazan on that day. Old friends from a partner congregation of the “brother tradition” in the German city of Neuwied came, as did the Heintz and Barbara Elze family; they have given invaluable help in the rebirth of the church and who continue to support the congregation. They gathered together and organized a large collection of historical information about the congregation's past and present. Representatives from the city and state (krai) administration were also in attendance; they promised to provide help in the cosmetic renovations of the building's exterior; it is, after all, a unique historical monument. The heads of other Christian denominations also paid attention to the Lutheran congregation – despite our differences, we all live in peace with one another and share our joys and sorrows. Thanks to his work in the inter-confessional committee and in the committee of Evangelical churches, Dean David Rerikh was able to act as a link between Protestants, other denominations and the government administration. A special surprise was the visit of the Catholic congregation; their church is just two blocks away and after their service, they came to our church to congratulate the congregation through song.
  The centers of worship were the sermon by Bishop Dietrich Brauer and Holy Communion. Afterwards guests were served lunch with an organ concert for "dessert." Warm fellowship with Christians from other denominations and other cities was a a good witness that the Holy Spirit really did descend and that the Church is alive and thriving. With God's help St. Maria's Lutheran in Perm will continue to be a house of prayer for another century or more.