The Archcathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the main Catholic churches of the Republic of Belarus. This church is located in the heart of the historical center of Minsk, near the Minsk City Hall.

In the first half of the 18th century, a magnificent ensemble of Jesuit collegium arose in Minsk. This ensemble completed the formation of the architectural complex of the main market square of the city. The central place in the ensemble was occupied by the church of Jesus, Mary and St. Barbara. The design of this shrine was developed in Rome in 1699. The foundation of the Jesuit Church was solemnly laid in 1700, and on April 16, 1710, the Vilnius Bishop Kanstancin Kazimir Bžastoŭski consecrated the shrine. However, church towers were completed only in 1730. A clock brought from Danzig was installed on one of the towers.

The Jesuit Church was a three-nave six-pillar basilica. On both sides of the apse, there were two chapels in the side naves. The main two-tower facade of the temple overlooked the square.

In 1773, the Jesuit College was liquidated, and the church was transformed into a parish one. In 1798, the Minsk Roman Catholic Diocese was created within the borders of the Minsk province. Thanks to the efforts of the first Minsk Bishop Daderka, the former Jesuit church became a cathedral.

In 1869, the Minsk diocese was abolished and the church was again in the rank of parish. Only in November 1917 the activities of the Minsk diocese were restored for some time. In 1934, in line with the anti-religious policy of the Soviet regime, the Minsk Cathedral Church was closed and used for storage facilities.

During the Second World War, the German occupation authorities allowed the resumption of worship in the church, but in 1947 the church was again closed and transferred to the center of physical education.

Despite the fact that back in 1926 the Minsk Cathedral Church was adopted under state protection as an architectural monument, in 1951, according to the project of architect Mikalaj Drazdoŭ, the building of the former church was rebuilt for the sports complex of the Spartak Society. During this reconstruction, the upper tiers of the towers were dismantled, the interiors were completely redone and divided into several floors, and a new volume was added to the main facade.

In the early 90s of the 20th century, the building of the Minsk Cathedral Church was transferred to believers. From 1994 to 1997 restoration work was carried out. On October 21 in 1997 Minsk Archcathedral Church named after the Blessed Virgin Mary was solemnly consecrated.

Publication date: 17.02.2020.

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