Nikolskaya Church in Saransk originated in the late 19th century . By this time, two churches of the Compline settlement, wooden and stone, were dilapidated, and on the council of the parish it was decided to build a new temple . The author of the project became an architect from Penza, who took as a basis the project of the temple from the album of the Holy Synod of 1838 ., to the construction of which the eminent architect K . Ton . went to construction. They started in construction in 1897 . and finished nine years later . The main throne of the church was consecrated in the name of the holy apos the tots of Peter and Paul, and the second - in honor of St Nicholas of Myra-Likii .
The church is a fairly powerful red brick five-domed building with a separate adjoining bell tower. Above each of the five chapters, a dome-bowl is built. After the total closure of the temples during the Soviet era, the premises inside were used for warehouses and workshops, then administrative offices and the Museum of the rare book were located there.
Fortunately, during the time that the building was not used for its intended purpose, it did not undergo any changes. And today the church of St. Nicholas still looks exactly like a church. True, its original architectural style was associated with classical Russian temples in large part thanks to the glazes and the bell tower, also crowned with a gilded head. The triangular porticos of the facades and windows rather resemble a secular building, and some note the excessive heaviness and massiveness of the lower part of the building.
In 1990, the church was returned to its religious significance. The temple was consecrated anew, this time in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. At the end of the century, a large-scale restoration began, the area around was ennobled and fenced with metal.
Practical information
Address: ul. Volgograd, 90.
Nikolskaya church is located in the eastern part of the city, beyond the river Insar. If you go straight from the cathedral, you can reach it on the Communist street (about 3 km).
Working time: liturgy at 8:00, evening service at 17:00.