Former site of the Church of the Virgin Mary

Former site of the Church of the Virgin Mary

The former site of the Church of the Virgin Mary is located in the northeast corner of Qingnian Lake, outside Andingmen. It was originally the site of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary and the cemetery for Russian expatriates. The “Church of the Virgin Mary” was built around 1918, facing east with its back to the west. The widest part of the church is about 16 meters, and its depth is approximately 27 meters. The interior is divided into two sections: the “Sanctuary” and the “Holy of Holies.” In the center of the Sanctuary stands a throne, which is a square platform over one meter high, holding the Eucharist and a reliquary; there is an altar in the northeast corner. Wooden partition doors on both sides of the Sanctuary allow entry and exit during prayers. The Church of the Virgin Mary has a basement that was used to store coffins. To the west of the church lies the Russian cemetery. The Church of the Virgin Mary, facing east with its back to the west, is a cruciform building. The roof features a semi-circular arched dome topped with a cross. The widest part of the structure is about 16 meters, with a total depth of around 27 meters. The front section is semi-circular, and there is a semi-circular door on each of the north and south sides of the central area. The cemetery was built at the same time as the Church of the Virgin Mary.

When the North Chapel was demolished in 1957, the coffins beneath the Martyrdom Chapel (see St. Nicholas Church) were relocated and reburied in the Russian expatriate cemetery. In 1987, when Dongcheng District constructed the Youth Palace in Qingnian Lake, the Church of the Virgin Mary was demolished.