Saint Saviour's Church, Riga
The Anglican Church of Saint Saviour in Riga is a neo-Gothic architectural gem with a rich and varied history. It was built between 1857 and 1859 with support from the British community in Riga, specifically to serve British sailors and merchants who settled in the city to strengthen trade ties. Initially established as a parish in 1830, the Anglican community worshiped in borrowed spaces until a plot near Castle Square was granted in 1852 for the church鈥檚 construction.
The church鈥檚 architecture reflects its British heritage, with vibrant red bricks and sandstone elements, and even hundreds of tonnes of soil, imported from Britain. Its pseudo-Gothic design features a rectangular hall layout, an integrated tower, and distinctive flying buttresses. Inside, the single-naved hall is supported by a central column, with wooden vaults, oak furnishings, stained glass windows, and an altar painting by Italian artist Bellentini. The interior design, funded by Riga鈥檚 prominent Armitstead family, could accommodate 200 worshippers, showcasing the wealth and dedication of its sponsors.
Throughout its history, the church has faced periods of adversity and transformation. Confiscated by Soviet authorities in 1940, it was transferred to the Latvian Lutheran parish and suffered damage during World War II. For decades, the church was underutilized, serving as dormitories and a library for Riga Technical University. Despite these changes, significant restoration efforts during the Soviet era helped preserve its structure, with a repaired roof and abstract stained glass windows added.
In 1992, the Anglican parish regained the church, restoring it as a place of worship and cultural activity. By 1998, it resumed hosting services, concerts, and events, including English-language gatherings for the British Embassy. Today, the church is a spiritual and cultural hub, accommodating four parishes: Anglican, Lutheran, Russian Lutheran, and Christian meditation groups. This truly English church built on English soil continues to serve as a venue for worship, education, and cultural events, reflecting its enduring significance in Riga鈥檚 architectural and cultural landscape.
The church鈥檚 architecture reflects its British heritage, with vibrant red bricks and sandstone elements, and even hundreds of tonnes of soil, imported from Britain. Its pseudo-Gothic design features a rectangular hall layout, an integrated tower, and distinctive flying buttresses. Inside, the single-naved hall is supported by a central column, with wooden vaults, oak furnishings, stained glass windows, and an altar painting by Italian artist Bellentini. The interior design, funded by Riga鈥檚 prominent Armitstead family, could accommodate 200 worshippers, showcasing the wealth and dedication of its sponsors.
Throughout its history, the church has faced periods of adversity and transformation. Confiscated by Soviet authorities in 1940, it was transferred to the Latvian Lutheran parish and suffered damage during World War II. For decades, the church was underutilized, serving as dormitories and a library for Riga Technical University. Despite these changes, significant restoration efforts during the Soviet era helped preserve its structure, with a repaired roof and abstract stained glass windows added.
In 1992, the Anglican parish regained the church, restoring it as a place of worship and cultural activity. By 1998, it resumed hosting services, concerts, and events, including English-language gatherings for the British Embassy. Today, the church is a spiritual and cultural hub, accommodating four parishes: Anglican, Lutheran, Russian Lutheran, and Christian meditation groups. This truly English church built on English soil continues to serve as a venue for worship, education, and cultural events, reflecting its enduring significance in Riga鈥檚 architectural and cultural landscape.
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Saint Saviour's Church on Map
Sight Name: Saint Saviour's Church
Sight Location: Riga, Latvia (See walking tours in Riga)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Riga, Latvia (See walking tours in Riga)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Riga, Latvia
Create Your Own Walk in Riga
Creating your own self-guided walk in Riga is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Riga Old Town Walking Tour
The area that is home to present-day Riga has hosted inhabitants since the days of the Vikings. With a sheltered natural harbor nearby, the River Daugava made Riga a stop on the Vikings' Dvina-Dnieper trade route to Byzantium.
Trade allowed the area to flourish, and the Livs, a Finnic tribe, settled it. In the early Middle Ages, the town's economy revolved around fishing, trading, and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Trade allowed the area to flourish, and the Livs, a Finnic tribe, settled it. In the early Middle Ages, the town's economy revolved around fishing, trading, and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Historical Churches and Cathedrals
One great thing about Riga is that the majority of its religious sites are concentrated in the historic center. A variety of faiths found in the Latvian capital is fairly broad for such a small country and includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Lutheran, to mention but a few.
The 13th-century Riga Cathedral is perhaps the most significant house of prayer in the city. The imposing mix of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
The 13th-century Riga Cathedral is perhaps the most significant house of prayer in the city. The imposing mix of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Art Nouveau Architecture Walk
An architecture lover in general and that of Art Nouveau in particular will find plenty to look at in the quiet center of Riga. J奴gendstil (Latvian: Art Nouveau) architecture makes up roughly one third of all buildings in the heart of Latvia's capital. In fact, the city boasts the highest concentration of Art Nouveau structures anywhere in the world.
Constructed during a period of rapid... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Constructed during a period of rapid... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Traveler's Choice of 12 Uniquely Latvian Souvenirs from Riga
Reemerged after regaining independence in the early 1990s, Latvia is anxious to reveal its beauty to the outside world. The country's capital Riga is a good showroom for the country's cultural riches and traditions. Here's the list of the unique Latvian products to look for while in...