Sloka Evangelical Lutheran Church
Sloka Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Raiņa iela 4, Sloka
- http://www.slokasdraudze.lv/
- +371 67730163
- 56.9432030,23.6195114
- For children
- Open 24h
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On 3 January 1854, a new stone church building was given in the care of the parish. Nowadays we see the church that was rebuilt many times and expanded. At first a separate wooden sacristy was built to the church. Under the guidance of the church, pastor Firufs and church chairman Polmanis the building was consecrated on 17 August 1869. The plans to build a church tower were made, yet World War I did not allow for this. And Russian troops took away the church bells. Also the German army fired upon Sloka during two years. Regardless of the gunfire, pastor Rozenieks renewed the church services. But in 1916 the services in church were forbidden. The Christians met for services in out-of-the-way houses and also in cemeteries. In 1919, bolsheviks attacked the church and created the most damage to it.
The next rebuilding of the church upon the initiative of the pastor Rozenieks and church chairman Ungern Schternberg according to the design of the architect Wilhelm Bockslaff was undertaken by the chief of Riga masonry craft Kristians Kergalvis and woodworker Steinerts. Since 1898, significant resources for rebuilding were provided by Vidzeme consistory, Evangelical Lutheran Aid Society, Baltic Cellulose Factory in Sloka, and the church donations.
On 31 August 1903, the congregation went into their rebuild church. The celebratory service was announced by a new 18-pound bell.
On 16 October 1911, new Walker organ was consecrated in the church.
During World War I, the church and organ suffered from the blasts and marauding Russian soldiers. Yet the altar painting and organ remained. The congregation, especially the bell-ringer Berzins with his wife Trine, were able to protect the property of the church. By using the donated resources, the church was renovated by 1926. During World War II the church building suffered relatively small damages in comparison to other churches in Latvia. Yet major repairs were necessary.
Approximately for 322 years the Sloka church served the Lutheran people in the whole territory of Jurmala, beginning from Bulli to Kalnciems and the fishermen villages. Only at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, for the convenience of the residents, churches in Bulduri (1889), Ķemeri (1897), and Dubulti (1909) were built.
