About the Church
The origins of the Catholic community of Tartu go back to 1849, when, by decree of Emperor Nicholas I, a chapel was opened at Tartu University for Catholic students and lecturers. The present church was built in 1895–1899 to a design by the architect Wilhelm Schilling; its indirect model is considered to be the Apostelkirche in Hanover (architect Conrad Wilhelm Hase).
It is one of the latest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Estonia. The church is built of the red brick typical of Tartu, its exterior is enlivened by buttresses, angular stair turrets with pyramidal caps stand at the sides, and a four-sided bell tower is partly set into the nave. On the south side is the Chapel of St Josaphat.
Today it is the only Catholic church in Tartu — it is home to the Parish of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Veski Street 1a), which belongs to the Diocese of Tallinn. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic community of the Holy Family also meets at the same address, and the parish also includes the Chapel of St Aloysius Gonzaga on Jaama Street.
It is one of the latest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Estonia. The church is built of the red brick typical of Tartu, its exterior is enlivened by buttresses, angular stair turrets with pyramidal caps stand at the sides, and a four-sided bell tower is partly set into the nave. On the south side is the Chapel of St Josaphat.
Today it is the only Catholic church in Tartu — it is home to the Parish of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Veski Street 1a), which belongs to the Diocese of Tallinn. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic community of the Holy Family also meets at the same address, and the parish also includes the Chapel of St Aloysius Gonzaga on Jaama Street.