VICARAGES IN RIGA (Rigas pastorati)

Vicarages of Lutheran parishes, presbyteries of Catholic priests and houses of Orthodox priests make up an important part of the Latvian cultural heritage where specific traits of architectural development and traditions as well as events of cultural history are intertwined. Usually vicarages have been built together with parish churches, for example, the vicarage of Riga Reformers' parish whose origins are found in 1745. The period of Neoclassicism is typified by St. James' Church vicarage (1733, 1878, 1882), Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church presbytery (1780) and the Lutheran vicarage in Tornakalns (1st half of the 19th century). An early example of Neoclassicism is also St. Peter and 5t. Paul's Orthodox Church priests' and servants' house in the Citadel (1783-1785). Eclecticism is also strongly present In the architecture of Riga pastors' houses, for example, St. Martin's Lutheran Church vicarage at Martina Street 3 or St. Paul's Lutheran vicarage (1898, architect Hermann Hilbig). An outstanding example of Neo-Gothic and the so-called brick style is St. Francis' Catholic presbytery that includes also congregation and school premises (1889 1892, arch. Florian von Wiganowsky). Priests' and servants' house of the Annunciation Orthodox Church at Turgeneva Street 21 (1896, architect Alexei Kizelbash) stands out with its impressive volumes. St. Trinity Orthodox Cathedral priest's and servants' house at K. Barona Street 126 features the so-called summer cottage style of the last quarter of the 19th century. The famous Flemish artist and architect Henry van de Velde has designed St. Peter's school and vicarage building in Riga, Valnu Street 20 (1912). Another important figure was the local architect Wilhelm Bockslaff who designed the vicarage for the German congregation of Riga St. Martin's Lutheran Church. In the 1930s St. John's Lutheran Church vicarage is worth of attention (1930 1931, arch. Eizens Laube). A number of historically and architecturally singular priests' houses have survived in Riga. Some of them are real pearls of architecture that have retained their original material substance and look.