Alexander Church in Kiev

Alexander`s church - one of the   oldest   of all existing Catholic churches in Kiev. In the early 19th century, the only Catholic church of the city was destroyed in a fire. Public, it was decided to build a new cathedral in 1814 and began raising funds. The first stone was laid in 1817. Construction led by the architect Visconti and it lasted more than 25 years. The reason for this is the lack of funds and difficulties in the construction: the site was chosen hilly, near a road, so we had to constantly reinforce the soil. Consecrated the church in 1842.

The temple was named in honor of the Russian Emperor Alexander I. The church is on the south side of Vladimir`s Hill , at the intersection Kostelnaya and Three Saints. The place was not chosen by chance: it was here in 1816 during the visit of Alexander I in Kiev was established grand illumination in the form of an arch in honor of the king.

In Soviet times, the Catholic parish ceased to exist, the last priest Zygmunt Kwasniewski was executed, and the temple was converted into a hostel. In 1952, opened here   Planetarium Kiev University.

Already in 1991 in disrepair temple was returned to believers. It was at this time, on the steps of the church, begin to conduct the first service. The temple has found new life in the next four years was an active restoration of the cathedral and 7 October 1998, the church was re-consecrated. June 25, 2001, Pope John Paul II visited the temple during his visit to Kiev.

Worship in the temple is conducted in four languages: Ukrainian, Polish, English and Russian.