Russia: 300th anniversary of the Dutch Church in St. Petersburg

A centuries-old connection
Different events were organised to highlight the history surrounding the Dutch Church, such as a symposium with lectures on the centuries-old connection between the Netherlands and St. Petersburg and on the history of the Dutch community in this city, a concert, a tour, and a protestant service in the former church building. The central theme was the freedom of religion in the early 18th century, which made it possible for the church to exist. In 1702, Peter the Great issued a decree that allowed foreign workers, including the Dutch, to practice their own beliefs. After this, the Dutch community grew quickly and in 1717, the first Dutch church service was held in St. Petersburg. The Dutch Church served its last congregation in 1927.

Restored landmark
In 1834-1839, the present-day edifice was built on Nevsky Prospect, commissioned by the Dutch community. This building became a home for the Dutch Reformed Church, and housed prominent Dutch families who settled in St. Petersburg. In 1917, after the Russian Revolution, the building was nationalised, and in 1927, the Dutch Reformed Church was closed down. Since 1936, the central part of the building has housed the Alexander Blok Library. On the initiative of the city government, the main hall of the Dutch Church and the bas-relief above the entrance have been brought back to their original state. The restoration was finished in 2017, 300 years after the beginning of the Dutch church community in St. Petersburg. The building, located in the city centre, can be seen as a landmark keeping the shared history of St. Petersburg and the Netherlands visible and alive.