St. Saviour's Church (Latvian: Anglikāņu Sv. Pestītāja baznīca) is a congregation of the Church of England in Riga, Latvia. Its parish church is located at Anglikanu iela 2, north of the old town centre (Vecrīga), close to Riga Castle and the banks of the Daugava River.
The neo-Gothic church was designed by Johann Felsko. The foundation stone was laid in 1857 and the church was dedicated on 26 July 1859. Church use was halted during the Soviet occupation, and in 1973 it became the home of the Riga Polytechnic Institute student club.
After Latvia regained its independence in 1991, an English-speaking congregation was again formed under the guidance of Lutheran Pastor Arden Haug. In 1995 the Latvian-born Reverend Dr Juris Calitis became the pastor of a growing congregation. Jāna Jēruma-Grīnberga was installed as priest-in-charge in October 2014, succeeding Cālītis.
The church operates a soup kitchen for homeless people in the undercroft, and supports a club for the elderly (Senioru klubs).
Historical records are held in London Metropolitan Archives.
en.wikipedia.org
History
A congregation was founded in 1822, and the foundation stone of the church was laid in 1857. A shipload of earth was sent from Britain so that the church could be built on British soil. Bricks were provided as well. The church was dedicated on July 26 1859, as the Church of St. Saviour in Riga, and the first regular church service was held in November 1859.
When in 1941 neighbouring St. Peter’s Lutheran Church was devastated its parish moved to St. Saviour’s and existed there for some time also during the Soviet period. From 1973, it became the home of the Riga Polytechnic Institute’s Student Club. During this period, the church building was renewed, and it became a cultural centre and venue for concerts, exhibitions, and dances.
After Latvia regained its independence in 1991, U.S. missionary Arden Haug founded an English-speaking congregation. In 1995, Rev’d Juris Cālītis, who was born in Latvia, assumed the responsibilities of pastor. On his retirement in 2014, Jāna Jēruma-Grīnberga, former Lutheran Bishop in Great Britain, became Chaplain.
Today, the church is home to the congregation of St. Saviour and hosts two Lutheran congregations. We also have a close relationship and partnership with Sherborne Abbey, Dorset, UK.
anglicanriga.lv