Latvian Saeima hands over St Peter’s Church to Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church

On Thursday, 24 February, Latvia’s Saeima passed in the final reading the Law on Riga St Peter’s Church, in which it is stated that this church is to be transferred to Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church (LELB) and LELB German St. Peter’s Community’s Riga St. Peter’s Church Foundation.
As reported by Saeima’s press-service, the foundation will receive ownership rights over the church.
The law states St. Peter’s Church is a culture memorial place of Catholic and Lutheran faith. It is also mentioned that after everything has been coordinated, the church will be available for religious service of relevant confessions.
Saeima’s Education, Culture and Science Committee chairman Arvils Ašeradens explained last year that deputies had to make a «responsible decision», making a choice between two major legal owners of the church – Riga municipality and the foundation created by LELB and LELB German community.
«Riga St. Peter’s Church is an important symbol, and, when making the decision on the solution, it is important to balance all interests, considering that the church itself was built, maintained and existed until WWII as a church owned by the Lutheran community. It is important for the church to be able to perform it functions as a temple of God. At the same time, we cannot allow it to lose its role as a cultural historic monument and a place to hold events,» said Ašeradens, stressing that the topic about the church’s legal ownership was also reviewed by a special work group composed by the committee.
According to the evaluation one by the National Cultural Heritage Office, the church is in critical state and is in dire need of restoration, said Ašeradens, stressing that the church is a national cultural monument included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The goal of the new law is to ensure the preservation and protection of Riga St. Peter’s Church and its cultural historic value, as well as continued public accessibility.
The duty outlined in the law is for the foundation to ensure the preservation and restoration of this piece of real estate, as well as ensure its public accessibility. The foundation is presented with other duties, including development and coordination with the Ministry of Culture the concept for the preservation, restoration and use of this real estate property, as well as provide the ministry with reports on accomplishments.
The parliament will monitor restoration work and use of the church. The Ministry of Culture as a supervisory institution will evaluate and submit reports to the Education Committee once a year.
The law also includes the topic of the territory surrounding Riga St. Peter’s Church, stating that the main use of this territory is preserving the look of the building. There are also certain restrictions, such as the prohibition to build any additional structures within that territory.
Financing for the preservation, restoration and maintenance of Riga St. Peter’s Church will be provided by the foundation. Income gained from the economic operations of this real estate will be allowed to be used only for the purposes of the church’s restoration, maintenance and public accessibility.