140th anniversary of the Moscow Central Church of the UECB Denomination

The history of Central Bapitst Church has spanned three centuries with its ups and downs, periods of fierce battles and a long-awaited calm. And today, memories of the past year’s events came alive, and all of them are heartfelt. A reminder to the soul of every believer set apart for the work, “to which I called you by our gospel, to achieve the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thess. 2:14

More than 800 people came to the special service, so there wasn’t enough space for everyone, and many were standing. As always in church on Sundays, several amazing things took place, and behind each believer they saw the hand of God. So, for example, in the middle of the service, a fairly large group of tourists entered the hall, whose route ran through the building of the Central Church. Each guest unexpectedly received the blessing of the pastor, and at the exit - a Bible.

Service was led by the senior pastor and central Russian regional pastor, Sergey Zolotarevsky. He recalled that “in Soviet times, it was the only Baptist church in Moscow, until 1992, which housed several confessions under the arches of one of the most monumental buildings in the capital. Now the same building is registered as an historic and cultural site. 

During the day we heard the three adult church choirs and children’s choir singing many songs. And truly the hall was filled with angelic sounds, when the unique ensemble of bells began to perform anthems. Brothers and sisters of the Protestant churches from the USA donated several musical instruments not typical for Russian churches. And this was another blessing - for many people heard hymns for the first time in such an unearthly performance.

Most of the guests were pastors and ministers of local Moscow churches - they shared their memories of the historical events that they had been a part of. Felix Voloshin, pastor of the Bridge Church, Chairman of the Moscow Association of UECB Churches, recalled that “after the inspiring speeches of Billy Graham in Moscow back in September 1993, 33 more UECB churches appeared just in Moscow alone.”

Historian Vladimir Popov took us on a journey starting from the 2nd half of the 1800’s, “when a wave of truth-seeking became tangible in Russia. Moscow’s Central church was not the only one among the eldest in Russia. Tambov Baptist Church also turned 140 years old.” The emancipation of the peasants was preceded by the translation of the New Testament into Russian, and since 1862 the Holy Scripture’s literally "went to the people." In St. Petersburg, a circle for the study of the Word appeared, and the Bible was distributed by booksellers, who were also preachers. Zealous activity of Christians in Moscow was observed in the tavern "Pit" on Myasnitskaya. Various people gathered here, and among them were the philosophers Vladimir Solovyov, Sergei Bulgakov, Nikolai Berdyaev. Meetings were also held at Countess Elena Shuvalova on Nikitskaya Street in Moscow.

The center of attraction for God-seekers in St. Petersburg and Moscow was the aristocrat Vasily Pashkov. Far from being a poor man, he had 13 estates in Russia as his possessions. He opened a school, a hospital, introduced gospel singing on his estates in Krekshino in the Moscow region, as well as in the village of Mitkino. Between his two estates, Pashkov moved exclusively on a donkey, like Jesus Christ. Pashkov realized and preached that "a sin cannot be conquered by a person on his own - supernatural power is needed."

At the end of the 19th century, a large industrialist, owner and founder of the confectionery production Fyodor Savelyev came to faith. And the Lord changed the fate of this new follower. Soon the Moscow Community of Evangelical Christians was formed, and Fyodor Savelyev was elected its presbyter.

In 1909, the Moscow community moved to a legal position. On April 23, 1917, in the premises of the former Reformed Church, the opening of a prayer house for Evangelical Christians took place, where the Moscow Central Church is located to this day.

During the period of Soviet rule, the church in Maly Vuzovsky Lane remained the only open place for worship of all the churches of the Protestant denomination in Moscow until 1992. 1944 was a significant year for the entire brotherhood. It was within the walls of the prayer hall that the long-awaited unification of the Unions of Evangelical Christians and Baptists took place. The Lord united the brothers at the insistence of the authorities, but for the benefit of the believers. Since then, there is no longer any talk of disagreements between evangelicals and Baptists.

Moscow Central Church deservedly became the center of the spiritual life of the entire UECB brotherhood. Ministry courses were opened and taught. The church has also become an international link. Billy Graham preached within these walls, pianist Van Cliburn and organist Harry Grodberg performed, and US President Richard Nixon visited as well. The church actively participated in government social projects, collecting humanitarian aid after the Soviet fall in the 90s.

Nazar Reshchikovets, Bishop, Head of the Department of Relations with Churches of the Russian Christian Evangelicals, shared: “We miss the fellowship from Soviet times! It was a period of extraordinary inspiration among the followers of Jesus Christ. Ministers Mikhail Zhidkov, Ilya Ivanov conducted baptisms of more than 100 people a year. Now there are fewer people being baptized, and the Lord knows the reasons for this. Then, it was possible to bring a copy of the Bible from the church, but it was confiscated and destroyed. And we especially remember the responsible work of our sisters in not too well-fed times.” Perhaps harder times makes for deeper faith.

Wishes were read from the ruling bishop of the Russian Evangelical Faith Pentecostal Christians, Eduard Grabovenko: " Exude the love of God from yourselves; appreciate, cherish, and hold tight to His Scriptures."

A congratulational greeting from Vitaly Suchkov, Head of the Moscow Department of National Policy and Interregional Relations, was also read aloud, where the civic and social creative role of the Baptists for our society was noted. 

The Moscow Central Church of the UECB is not the only one among the “elder sisters”. The Evangelical Church of Samara is 120 years old, the churches in Vladimir, Omsk, Vladivostok are already over 110 years old.

But the oldest Baptist church in Russia is 220 years old, recalled 4th generation pastor and president of UECB, Peter Mitskevich. - In 1802, a delegation of believers from the Scottish Bible Society arrived in St. Petersburg. Emperor Alexander I, not tolerating free-thinking in the country, sent them to the Caucasus highlanders, to the village in Inozemtsevo. In the era of serfdom, believers payed the debt of boys from the Chechens and preached to them about Jesus Christ. The Church was firmly established there, and brothers continue to preach the gospel there to this day.

To date, more than 1,600 evangelical churches are registered in Russia, 34 of them in Moscow. There are about 5 thousand churches in the CIS countries. We all live in harmony with the Baptist World Alliance, which has more than 51 million organized Baptists, and including unofficial churches, the number of Baptist followers is about three times more, added Peter Mitskevich.

At the end of the service, prayer of generations sounded: believers prayed to our Lord from an 8-year-old boy to an 89-year-old minister. The whole congregation, in one spirit, also turned to the Lord with a humble petition for forgiveness, God's mercy, the desire to always rejoice, constantly pray, and give thanks for everything.

And another miracle completed the solemn divine service - a man named Alexander repented. His step towards salvation extremely inspired everyone who already came to God in repentance, feeling great relief and peace under the protection of the Almighty.

After the festive celebration, all guests were offered tea, and a time for fellowship. A gift was prepared for lovers of history - a lecture by the historian Alexei Sinichkin, on the development of the Baptist movement in Russia.