Church of the Intercession (Orenburg)

The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin (Pokrovskaya Church) is an Orthodox church in Orenburg, on the corner of Mavritskogo Street and Yaitskaya Street. Built in the mid-19th century, it is listed as a cultural heritage site of regional importance in the Orenburg Region and is an active church again after decades of Soviet neglect.

History

The church was founded on 30 April 1852 on the initiative of the Orenburg dean Vasily Olshansky. Construction took a year and a half and was completed on 30 October 1853. On 22 November of the same year it was consecrated by Anthony, Bishop of Orenburg and Ufa.

The parish grew quickly: by 1904 it numbered 3,019 parishioners. The community was active in charity, paying for medical treatment of the poor and supporting the families of deceased clergy.

In 1933 the building was handed over for long-term use to the Orenburg regional consumer union. The church was closed and turned into workshops, and for several decades the former church served industrial purposes.

Returning the building to believers took years of disputes and court cases. The decision to give the church back to the Orthodox community was made in 1991.

Restoration and architecture

Once returned, the church was restored. The building was repaired, a bell tower was built and the interior decoration was created. Restoration work is still going on.

The church is built in the Russian style typical of mid-19th-century church architecture. As a historical monument it is protected as a cultural heritage site of regional importance.

The church today

The Church of the Intercession is once again a parish church. Besides services, the community runs charity events, meetings for young people and activities for children with disabilities.

Location

The church stands in Orenburg at 59 Mavritskogo Street, where it meets Yaitskaya Street. The eastern part of Mavritskogo Street was formerly called Antoshechkin Lane.