About the Church
The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Riga (Rīgas Sāpju Dievmātes baznīca) is a Roman Catholic church in the Old Town of Riga, on Pils Street.
It was built in 1784–1785 and is regarded as the first Catholic church to arise in Vidzeme after the Reformation. The church was consecrated in the summer of 1785, and its title – Our Lady of Sorrows – symbolised the Catholic faith, which was constrained in the region at the time.
In the mid-19th century the church was rebuilt to a plan by the architect Johann Felsko – the chancel was relocated and a sacristy was added, followed later by a baptistery. The plastered masonry walls are painted in the light colours typical of Classicism, and the interior consists of three aisles with barrel vaults.
The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows is an old and respected church in the Old Town of Riga, still bringing together the city's Catholic community.
It was built in 1784–1785 and is regarded as the first Catholic church to arise in Vidzeme after the Reformation. The church was consecrated in the summer of 1785, and its title – Our Lady of Sorrows – symbolised the Catholic faith, which was constrained in the region at the time.
In the mid-19th century the church was rebuilt to a plan by the architect Johann Felsko – the chancel was relocated and a sacristy was added, followed later by a baptistery. The plastered masonry walls are painted in the light colours typical of Classicism, and the interior consists of three aisles with barrel vaults.
The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows is an old and respected church in the Old Town of Riga, still bringing together the city's Catholic community.