St. Alexeev Cathedral

Harbin Catholic Church, formerly known as the Alexeev Church, was built in 1931 and is an Eastern Orthodox church. A typical Russian-style brick and wood structure, it features a symmetrical cross-shaped floor plan, with the main entrance facing west. It consists of two floors, the upper floor housing religious activities and the lower floor housing the bishop, priests, and their work, meals, and lodging. The roof features a Baroque tower, an onion-shaped bell tower, and a cathedral, each crowned by a cross.



Address: No. 47 Shike Street, at the intersection of Guogeli Street and Gexin Street

Tickets: None

Visiting hours: 8:00-15:00 May 1st to October 15th

Transportation: Take bus No. 7, 8, 17, etc. and get off at Gexin Street Station.

At the end of one end of Gogol Street is St. Alexeev Church.

This is a very special church, which is no less exquisite than Hagia Sophia. The single brick red color is simple and elegant, the golden cross inlaid on the window is simple and harmonious, and the three domes of different styles are staggered, which looks very exotic against the backdrop of night.

This is a very beautiful Orthodox church. We were lucky enough to go inside and explore. Slowly pushing open the door, we were greeted by a staircase leading up to the main hall instead of the main hall. We climbed the stairs until we finally reached the main hall.

The church itself isn't particularly large, with a dozen rows of benches on either side. The quiet atmosphere was so quiet we wouldn't disturb the worshippers. The church gatekeeper smiled and agreed to our photo ops. Whether non-believers could enter was a matter of luck.

St. Alexeev Cathedral is a building with a rich historical background. Originally a military church of the Russian army in Gongzhuling, it was moved to No. 43 Shike Street in 1912. Originally an Orthodox church, the church was used as a seminary by the Russians in 1938 and converted into a Catholic church in 1980. Its red exterior, distinctive onion-shaped roof, and Baroque tower create its unique character.

St. Alexeev Cathedral is the best preserved of the existing cathedrals in Harbin. It is a red and white brick and wood structure church with a tall and unique appearance, complex shape, and rich wall lines and angles.

St. Alexeev Cathedral is not as famous as St. Sophia Cathedral, but its red exterior walls, unique onion-shaped roofs and Baroque towers are beautiful and unique, and its architectural art is superb.

Not far from Gogol Bookstore, there is a pink church: Alexeev Cathedral, also known as the Reformed Church. This church is a product of the Russo-Japanese War. It was built in the early 20th century and designed by Russian architect Smirnov-Toftanovsky. It was introduced from Byzantine architecture. Its shape and style are almost a replica of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

St. Alexeev Church: Located on Shike Street in Nangang District, Harbin, near Gogol Street, this Eastern Orthodox church boasts a Baroque-style brick-and-wood structure with a red brick exterior. It's said to house paintings by the painter Sadrokini and a statue of the Virgin Mary. Unfortunately, it's closed to the public. The square is incredibly crowded in the evening, with people dancing and practicing. When the lights are on, you can see men and women dancing ballroom dances in the crowd, which is quite romantic.

Its construction began on October 12, 1930, and was designed by Russian architect Smirnov-Toftanovsky. It was completed on October 6, 1935.

It was originally the Gongzhuling Military Church, and was later moved to Alekseyevka Village (Dongxiangfang) for reconstruction. With the completion of the Songhua River East Bridge and the formation of the wharf, the church was moved here.

After 1980, it was converted into a Catholic church and is not open to the public.

There is a prayer pavilion in front of the church, and further ahead there is an onion-shaped bell tower and pavilion, which should have been built later.

I have no immunity to churches, they are so photogenic and beautiful.

I like this old building as my first stop in Harbin.

The church is not very big, almost like a public square. It is even more beautiful at night.

St. Alexeev Cathedral is located on Shike Street in Nangang District, Harbin. It is an Eastern Orthodox church with a floor area of 1,005 square meters. Built in 1931, it is a typical Russian-style building.

Just take a picture, it's all beautiful~~~

A historic church on Gogol Street

During the golden age of Harbin church construction, the magnificent shape of St. Alexi and its warm religious atmosphere made it an irreplaceable landscape and memory in the city of Harbin.

It is said that the statue of the Virgin Mary inside is particularly exquisite, but the interior is only open during religious activities, so it is generally not easy to visit.

It would be nicer if the interior could be opened up. Harbin's architecture is generally quite ordinary, lacking the elaborate ornateness of Shanghai. It seems a bit restrained. The Gogol Bookstore is nearby, so it's worth a visit.

I was surprised to find that the church was more dazzling at night. I envy those who can hold their wedding in the church.

It is probably the second largest cathedral after Hagia Sophia. There are not many people.

The church is on Gogol Street, not far from Gogol Bookstore. As it is a church in the city center, taking photos will inevitably be affected by the surrounding buildings.

Smaller than Hagia Sophia.

Although there are round ones, it is a Catholic church and the red one is very beautiful.

On a winter night, the moon is bright but the stars are sparse, and the cold wind is strong. There are only three or five dancers to keep me company. The sound of their music is not enough to drive away the biting cold.

It's on Gogol Street, a little distance away from Qiulin Company.

It is a famous old church in Harbin. There is no need to elaborate on its history. It has gone through many vicissitudes of life and is reflected in the sunset. However, most churches in China are quite ordinary. Their appearance and grandeur cannot be compared with those of foreign churches.

Although this church is not as beautiful and famous as St. Sophia Cathedral, as the most famous Orthodox church in Harbin, it is still so magnificent and solemn, which makes people admire it!

Located at the east end of Gogol Street, it was designed by Russian architect Smirnov-Toftanovsky and completed on October 6, 1935. It is now the Harbin Catholic Church.

Harbin Catholic Church is a Heilongjiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Located at the intersection of Gexin Street in Nangang District, Harbin, it covers 1,005 square meters. Built in 1931, it was originally named the Alexeev Church. Photographed from all angles, Harbin Catholic Church is the best-preserved church in Harbin.

When I went there, it was neither early nor late. There were no lights on and people were praying inside.

This church I discovered by accident is very beautiful and the surrounding transportation is very convenient

The whole building is red. It used to be an Orthodox church, but now it is a Catholic church.

The church doesn't look big, and in the eyes of many people it may not be as famous as Hagia Sophia, but it gives people the feeling of being small and exquisite. If you have enough time, it is still worth a visit!

Brick-red walls. There are a lot of people in the square. You can go and have a look.

Looking at the navigation, we walked along Gogol Street for a while and arrived. The red church is still very beautiful. Hagia Sophia is under renovation recently, so seeing this can make up for the regret.

The Catholic Church is still in use. It is located at the intersection of Gogol and Gexin Road. It is a very eye-catching and spectacular building.

At the east end of Gogol Street, there are typical European-style buildings and Orthodox churches. There were not many tourists when I went there, and the surrounding squares were full of local residents resting and exercising. However, this trip also made me understand the various types of water cranes.

The building is in Baroque style. They said they would close at 5:30 pm, but when we arrived at 4 pm, the staff said confidently, "It's already closed."

The mass is from 7 to 8 in the morning. And it was only 7:30. I approached the main door and found that although it was closed, it could be pushed open to enter. As soon as the door was opened, the chanting of the believers filled my ears. Going up the stairs, I came to the spacious church. There was a statue of the Virgin Mary in front of the stairs. There were six A3-sized bronze sculptures on each side of the church, depicting the story of Jesus and the believers. The believers were scattered in different seats. I chose to sit in the back row of the church. I wanted to observe the mass carefully, but to my surprise, a believer handed me the church's prayer book and pointed out the recitation part. It was obvious that she wanted me to join them in the mass. I followed their orders, so I imitated their prayers and chants, and experienced the Christian mass firsthand. At 8 o'clock, the mass ended on time.

The first stop of the tour in Harbin, as the bee friends said, there are not many tourists, but the church is very beautiful, a red brick building.

Few people come here, and the church is relatively well preserved. The red brick exterior is very beautiful. Many locals are resting and dancing outside, and with the gentle breeze, it is still very comfortable.

St. Alexeev Cathedral, located at 47 Shike Street, is one of the few buildings from the Tsarist Russian occupation period still in use as a chapel. Harbin's occupation by Tsarist Russia led to the construction of numerous churches (a common practice among Western colonizers: after invading a country militarily, they would then engage in cultural invasion, building churches, proselytizing, and forcing schools to teach the invader's language). St. Sophia, St. Nicholas, and many others are currently under renovation and maintenance, making their original appearance difficult to see.

It's a very beautiful and exquisite little church. After all, time is limited, so it's a good idea to just visit it briefly.

Compared to Hagia Sophia, St. Alexeev Cathedral feels more like a return to the essence of religion. One reason for this might be that there are hardly any tourists here, making it much quieter. Another reason is that it is still a working church, unlike Hagia Sophia, which has become an exhibition hall, losing its religious purpose and, by extension, its soul.

I highly recommend this old building. It has both an exotic feel and a rich history. Most importantly, this kind of old building is so rare...

The Yevke Cathedral is not as elegant and noble as Hagia Sophia, but it has a more ancient and solemn feeling.

St. Alexeev Cathedral is a classic Russian building. Although it is not as famous as St. Sophia Cathedral, its red exterior, unique onion-shaped roof and Baroque tower give it a different flavor compared to the latter and are also worth tourists' stopping to appreciate.

St. Alexeev Cathedral was built in 1931. It is a brick and wood structure building. It was originally an Orthodox church. It was converted into a Catholic church after restoration in 1980. It is now the seat of the Heilongjiang Provincial Catholic Patriotic Association, the Harbin Municipal Catholic Patriotic Association and the Heilongjiang Provincial Catholic Education Committee.



Churches are usually only open during religious activities and are not open to the public at other times.

The address is No. 47, Shike Street, Nangang District, Harbin City. You can take bus No. 7, 8, 17, etc. and get off at Gexin Street Station.

As the most famous Orthodox church in Harbin, this church is so majestic and solemn! The key point is that there are activities here from time to time, and it is open 24 hours a day. The night view is amazing!

While the church is visited daily by many, and many stroll through its recreational plaza, its history remains largely unknown. The intersection of Gogol Street and Gexin Street is a highlight of Harbin's Nangang District, perhaps due to the Alexeev Church. This neighborhood evokes a strong sense of Russian influence, not only through the original architectural style of the surrounding buildings, but also through the original inhabitants who shaped the area's culture.

The Alexeevsky Cathedral is a beautiful historical relic that creates an indescribable sense of mystery, beauty, and solemnity. Before the 1970s, locals called this street Church Street, which was later renamed Innovation Street.

It is not very famous and there are few people, but the architecture is still very beautiful. If you pass by, you can stop by and take a look.

If you go there at the wrong time, you won't be able to get in. The scenery at night is beautiful.

The Russian-style St. Alexeev Cathedral is not as famous as St. Sophia Cathedral, but it is also very beautiful and still holds services there.

This is a very Harbin, very Russian church. While not as famous as St. Sophia, St. Alexeevsky Cathedral is noticeably less visited, yet still majestic and impressive. Its red bricks and tiles, dome and cross, are unlike any Catholic churches in mainland China. The night view is supposedly even more beautiful, but I'll have to wait and see it later. Also, it's right on Gogol Street, making it convenient for accommodation and shopping.

Because of this church, I booked the Gogol Hotel next to it and walked along Gogol Street. The night view was beautiful. Since I have no religious beliefs and just like various architectural styles, I did not pursue its history.

It is now called the Catholic Church. You can walk there from Qiulin Company. It may not be as beautiful during the day as at night, as the square is full of elderly people.

On the morning of my last day in Harbin, I visited a church. It's about the same size as Hagia Sophia, but not as well-known. There's no entrance fee, but tours aren't allowed. I noticed quite a few elderly worshippers coming out of the corner gate, clearly having just finished a service.

On Gogol Street, there is no crowds like Hagia Sophia, so you can take pictures with peace of mind. The red is very bright.

St. Alexeev Cathedral, located on Gogol Street, is visible from where the bus stops. It was already dark, but the purple and pink photos still look quite striking. St. Alexeev Cathedral, a brick-and-wood structure dating back to the Russo-Japanese War, is a classic example of Russian architecture, with the upper floors housing religious activities and the lower floors housing the bishop and priests, as well as accommodation and work. The roof features a Baroque tower, an onion-shaped bell tower, and a cathedral.

St. Alexeev Cathedral was originally the Orthodox St. Alexeev Cathedral and was converted into a Catholic church after 1980. The vermilion brick church is very beautiful and is in the Baroque church architectural style.

St. Alexeev Church was originally a military church in Gongzhuling. Following the Russian army's transfer to Lanhantun, Harbin, it was later relocated to Alexeevka Village (Dongxiangfang) for reconstruction. With the completion of the Songhua River East Bridge and the establishment of the wharf, a large number of residents from the old city (Xiangfang) moved to Majiagou, and the church was relocated to 44 Church Street (Gexin Street). A wooden structure was built in 1912-1913, and a new brick and stone structure was constructed in 1935-1936, creating a unique, yet integrated, structure. The brick and stone church, designed by architects Smirnov and Dostanovsky, stands tall and majestic, drawing attention to itself.

The red church is very beautiful and has a different feeling from Sofia. You can go to Gogol Street to visit.

It is not very popular, and there are basically no tourists. The church is small, but still very beautiful. Of course, it cannot be compared with Hagia Sophia. It is in a small street and not easy to find. It seems that bus 47 can get there.

Nestled amidst the bustling city, the dark red brick walls of St. Alexeev Church stand out prominently on the corner of Gogol Street. Its onion-domed cross, arched windows, and layers of arches embedded in the walls all bear the hallmarks of Byzantine architecture. Unfortunately, there's little information available about this architectural style, so understanding it is limited.

Although the church is not as eye-catching and colorful as Hagia Sophia, it also has its own unique features and decorations. These ancient church buildings are so ceremonial, and always have some characteristics that have been tempered by the wind, frost, rain and snow over the years.

The red brick church on Gogol Street - St. Alexeev Cathedral.

St. Alexeevsky Cathedral is a typical Russian building, constructed of brick and wood, with a symmetrical cross-shaped floor plan and a west-facing main entrance. It consists of two floors, the upper floor housing religious activities and the lower floor where the bishop and priests work, eat, and sleep. The roof features a Baroque tower, an onion-shaped bell tower, and a cathedral, each crowned by a cross.

This church differs from classical Russian churches. Classical Russian church architecture is Byzantine, its form and style almost entirely modeled after the St. Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople. It wasn't until the 16th century, after the Russians overthrew foreign rule and established a centralized state, that they began to construct churches in the Russian style. Living in colder regions, Russian architects adapted the Byzantine church vaults to the local climate, transforming them into tent-shaped spires to prevent snow from accumulating. Inspired by the bell-shaped domes of Arab churches, some church roofs were designed to be spherical. This resulted in some church roofs combining these two forms, creating a Russian architectural style characterized by a staggered arrangement of points, circles, and heights.

If you're interested in churches, Harbin is a great place to visit. Harbin boasts over 20 churches of varying sizes, including Christian, Catholic, and Islamic. Some of the ones that haven't survived to this day have been meticulously restored at the Volga Manor.

At the intersection of Gogol Street and Gexin Street in Harbin stands a church with a red brick and red roof, typical of Russian architecture. This is St. Alexeev Cathedral. Built in 1931 as an Orthodox church, it was renovated in the 1980s and given to the Heilongjiang Provincial Catholic Patriotic Association, transforming it into a Catholic church. The church is open to the public free of charge and is often visited by worshippers for religious activities.

Since the church is located in a residential area, the square in front of the church has become a leisure place for nearby residents. In the evening, there will be aunties dancing square dance, parents taking their children out for a walk, and so on.

It's nestled in the heart of the bustling city. If you have time, you might want to visit. Harbin has many examples of this Byzantine-style architecture. It's not much different from the Saint Sophia. Saint Sophia is so popular because it's located near Central Avenue.

This one definitely deserves praise, it's on par with Hagia Sophia. Here are the pictures to prove it.

The Catholic Church is at the end of Gogol Street. It has become a place where the elderly arrange blind dates for their children, and it is also a decorative church.

It is not as famous as Hagia Sophia, nor does it have such a big square. It is just a simple church.

It is only slightly smaller than Hagia Sophia and is still used by Christians. I went there on Christmas Day and could hear bursts of hymns coming from inside.

If you like this kind of exotic style architecture, you can go and have a look. Because the location is relatively remote, not many people go there. There is only one church to see, and the rest are city buildings. But it is quite close to Gogol Bookstore.

The square is not as big as that of Hagia Sophia, and there are not as many tourists, but the church itself feels more solemn and sacred.

It is larger and more impressive than the other three churches near Gogol Street. The tent roof of the bell tower is very distinctive.

It looked beautiful from the outside, but we didn't go in.

Fortunately... I got in...

It takes about half an hour to walk from Qiulin Company.

There are almost no tourists here. There is a bus across the street that takes you to the Sophia Cathedral.

Located on Gogol Street, it is worth a visit and one of the iconic attractions

Although it is not as famous as Hagia Sophia, it has its own characteristics and you can go in and visit

It is not as magnificent as the St. Sophia Cathedral, but you can still go and see it if you have time. The church and Qiulin Company are in two directions on Gogol Street and are not close to each other. Not far from the church is the Gogol Bookstore.

It is a little smaller than the onion dome in Hagia Sofia, and is also built in red brick and Byzantine style. Without the bustle and hustle and bustle of Hagia Sofia, it has a more solemn and sacred feeling.

The cathedral is different from Sofia and is also beautiful.