Federal President
Steinmeier in Riga at the cradle of the Reformation in the Baltic States
The House of the Blackheads (r.) and St. Peter’s Church (l.) on the Town Hall Square of the Latvian capital Riga. Photo: Uwe Zucchi/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
St. Peter’s Church is the tallest church in Riga and dominates the skyline of Latvia’s capital. Now it will be transferred back to the German community. Also present: a distinguished guest from Germany.
Angela Merkel was already at the top – now Frank-Walter Steinmeier has done the same and went up high in Riga. To be precise: 70 meters. At this height is the observation deck on the tower of the tallest church in the Latvian capital: St. Peter’s Church.
It offers a beautiful view of the Baltic Sea metropolis. The then Chancellor enjoyed the panoramic view during her visit to Riga in 2010 in bright sunshine. On Tuesday, the Federal President also let his gaze wander over the roofs of the old town during his visit – also in sunshine.
But Steinmeier did not travel to Riga for tourist reasons for the eleventh time in his long political career as German foreign minister and head of state. More than 75 years after the end of the Second World War, the church was handed over to a joint foundation of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church and the German St. Peter’s Congregation. Together with his Latvian colleague Egils Levits, the Federal President took part in a thanksgiving service and the official key handover.
Rooted in history
“St. Peter’s Church is a landmark in Riga, deeply rooted in the history of this unique city,” said Steinmeier in a welcoming address. “The special network of our common cultural and spiritual roots is evident here.” In his speech, Levits also referred to the great historical importance of the church for his country and German-Latvian history.
Half a millennium ago, the Reformation began in St. Peter’s Church in what is now Latvia and also in the entire Baltic region – only a few years after Martin Luther posted his theses in Wittenberg in 1517. This made Riga one of the first cities outside of Germany where Protestantism spread. This also set decisive impulses for the development of Latvian literature and the educational system. German pastors played a large part in this.
Lutheranism is the strongest denomination today
The Reformation ideas were introduced by Pastor Andreas Knöpken (1468-1539). On June 12, 1522, the clergyman from Brandenburg discussed 24 theses he had put forward with followers of the old doctrine in the Petrikirche. 500 years later, Lutheranism is the largest denomination in Latvia today – almost 25 percent of the 1.9 million inhabitants of the Baltic EU country profess it.
The reassignment put an end to decades of public debate over ownership of the 13th-century church. “We will fill the church with church life and ensure the basic renovation in order to preserve the church for the next generations,” said Stefan Meissner, chairman of the St. Petrikirche Foundation, the German Press Agency.
The most important task of the new old owners will be the renovation of the sacred building, which has been rebuilt and destroyed several times in its long history. With its 123 meter high tower, it resembles the main church of St. Catherine in Hamburg. Cracks in walls and floors, roof damage, mold, brick erosion – the National Monuments Authority’s inspection report indicates significant shortcomings. The community can also rely on German help: the Bundestag has already approved funds for the preservation and restoration of the Petrikirche.