Author: unknown
Date: 1820
Material: Wood, metal.
Technique:
Dimensions, mm:
Restoration:
During the Napoleonic War, Riga Cathedral was used as a food warehouse. During this time, the Cathedral suffered significant damage, and after the Napoleonic War, major repairs were carried out.
Re-opening ceremony of the cathedral took place on 1 February 1820.
Text of the inscription:
“Dedicated to future generations. When in on 17 June 1812, our city was threatened by enemy troops, the church had to set up a grain warehouse.
The same was appointed for the church of St. James and St. John, only for a shorter time; at that time, services for the crown, the city, and St. John’s congregation were held in St. Peter’s church. Churches of St. Gertrude and church of Jesus in the suburbs became victims of the flames.
When in August 1813, Riga Cathedral was released from the reserves stored in it, then we started to restore it. Since the altar, pulpit, organ, floor, and benches were partly damaged, partly very damaged, due to the limited resources of the church, it took longer until the altar was built, the pulpit and the organ were restored, and the interior of the building could be arranged again for services.
The ceremonial re-opening after the restoration, under the leadership of the church board, which consisted of the city councillor knight Friedrich Timm, as inspector, the elders of the Great Guild, Heinrich Julius Röpenak and Johann Friedrich Hilbig, as chairmen, took place on 1 February 1820, Sunday – Sexagesima. Head preacher, Dr. Liborius von Bergman gave the consecration speech by the altar, Gotthard Hermann Josef, pastor of the cathedral, and Daniel Gustav Bergman, deacon of the cathedral, the afternoon sermon.
May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, “My Name shall be there”
1 King 8:28-29