|
|
Difficulties in Completing the Construction of Dormition Cathedral
in London
The first record of a Russian church in London was found in
the Synodal archive in St. Petersburg. This record shows that
in 1713, in London, with the help of the first Russian consul
in England, Prince Boris Ivanovich Kurakin, an Orthodox church
dedicated to the Dormition of the Most-Holy Mother of God was
established. This was a small house church situated in the York
Building, near Charing Cross. Clergymen were sent to London
to conduct services there after 1746.
After the Bolshevik Revolution, the Russian Consulate church
in London was completely cut off from support from Russia, and
on 17 October 1919, at the initiative of the local faithful,
an Orthodox parish of the Dormition was established. At the
time, a great flood of refugees came in London, and after a
long search to find larger premises for the church, the Anglican
Church in 1921 rented the Church of St. Philipp at 188 Buckingham
Palace Road.
His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Germany and Great Britain gave
his blessing to begin construction of a cathedral church in
London in November 1997. It was decided to build the church
in the traditional Pskovian style of church architecture—with
an upper and lower church, one cupola and a bell tower with
seven bells. The cathedral can accommodate approximately 400
people.
A year and a half later, the walls were erected, along with
the roof. The first service in the new church was conducted
before Pascha in 1999, and that autumn the cupola and cross
were put in place.
Unfortunately, difficulties with construction began in 2002.
The greatest obstacle was the moisture seeping through the walls
in the lower church. As a result, all work was halted. The problem
proved to be serious, and at the instistence of experts, the
parish began the renovation of the lower church. The cement
floor had to be completely removed, along with the plaster of
the walls. A special waterproof membrane was then put down to
prevent further moisture from penetrating the walls and floors,
preserving the wooden floors and plasterwork. So far, some 800
thousand pounds have been spent. This includes money received
from the sale of the church house belonging to the parish and
donations from worshipers, beginning with gifts of 10-15 pounds.
These donations, regardless of their size, were given out of
love and from the heart, for the common good, and upon this
the church is established. Without them construction could not
have begun, and will not be completed.
The lower portion of the church is being completed now, which
will be consecrated in the memory of the Royal Martyrs. In May
2003, the interior work of the main church will begin. For the
completion of the project, no less than 600 thousand pounds
will be needed. The source of these funds will again be the
donations of the faithful. Whether this will be possible depends
on all of us.
Roman Zakrevsky
London |
|
|
