On May 17, 2025, a long-awaited community work day was held on the territory of the White Church. The believers also celebrated a worship service there. The church building was transferred to the Church of Ingria by the local authorities in the Leningrad region on December 26, 2024.

History

The White Church belonged to the congregations of Finnish, German and Estonian Lutherans. The building was constructed in 1632, in the times of the Swedish rule in the area. The church was designed for 400 seats. It is considered to be the oldest Lutheran building in the Leningrad region (former Ingria) that has survived up to now. In 1917, the congregation consisted of 2537 parishioners.

The worship services here were forbidden by the Soviet authorities in 1937. In 1938, the church was closed and used as a secular club. During the German occupation in 1942-1943, the worship services were resumed.

Today the White Church is ruined. Its official status is a local cultural heritage site of the peoples in Russia.

What We Plan

We plan to preserve what we can. Of course, it is impossible to restore the building now but we would like to make a safe and interesting place out of the ruins that can attract many visitors. That can be a famous objet d’art. Certainly, we plan worship services here.

The White Church as a Site of Memory in Modern History of the Church of Ingria

In 2010, many people went on a pilgrimage tour. They visited the sites of great significance for the Church in the Leningrad region, including the White Church. In 2011, the 400th anniversary was celebrated here, in the White Church. There were guests from different countries present.

Other Church Buildings Transferred to the Church of Ingria Recently

In 2024, Vuoksela church and Vuoksenranta church (both in the Leningrad region) were also transferred to the Church of Ingria by the local authorities. Vuoksela church is located on the territory of our future Christian park. We hope to make these buildings safe, so that it will be possible to have there different missionary events and worship services. May God help us!