History
1840s
First recorded activities
The first activities by Anglican clergy in Bucharest are recorded, with a school founded by the The London Society for Promoting Christianity Amongst the Jews in 1848.
1860s
First funeral & wedding
The burial of Katherine Hoabowsky is the first entry in the Registers of the Church of the Resurrection. The first wedding was conducted in 1868.
1881
Plans to build a church
The first appeal for funds for the construction of an Anglican church in Bucharest is made.
1893
Princess Marie arrives in Romania
Princess Marie of Edinburgh, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, marries Crown Prince Ferdinand and arrives in Romania. She attends the Anglican services in Bucharest regularly. It was largely thanks to her support that the present building was completed.
1900
A deed of gift to the British Crown
The land on which the church stands is made over to the British Crown by deed of gift in December 1900 and the external structure is completed by 1914.
1920
First Service & Dedication
The First World War interrupts the delivery of the interior furnishings that had been ordered from England, so the work is finally finished only after the war is over. Easter Sunday 1920 sees the first service to be held in the new church, which is finally dedicated by the Bishop of Gibraltar on the 5th of November 1922.
1938
Queen Marie of Romania dies
A regular attendee in the early days was Queen Marie of Romania, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. After her marriage to Crown Prince Ferdinand, she continued to attend the English services in Bucharest, and it was largely thanks to her support that the present building was completed. Various members of the Royal Family have attended the church at different times.
1940-1966
World War II and the Stalinist period
A wooden panel at the back of the church records the names of the chaplains over the years, with a telling break from 1940 to 1966. In fact, the church was far from inactive during these “blank” years of World War II and the Stalinist period, during which Eastern Europe experienced such trauma and suffering.
During World War II, because of its association with England, the church is closed after the Christmas Day service 1940 and remains closed until Christmas Day 1944, after which it maintains worship. 1966 sees the establishment of a full-time chaplaincy, with emphasis on theological study and ecumenical contacts.
Among those who held the post during this period was the Rev. Dr. David Hope, later Archbishop of York.
1970
In the Eastern Block
During the 1970s, it is suggested that the church might be better used as a library and conference hall for the British Council. Happily the proposal is resisted, and the church has the distinction of being the only Anglican church building in the former Eastern block countries to have remained open throughout the post-war Communist period.
1980
A dream of Freedom
Life became increasingly harsh for most Romanians during the 1980s. Even for members of the diplomatic and business communities movement was restricted and surveillance was constant. In 1983, the chaplain Robert Braun wrote about “a security van which occasionally positions itself outside the doors on Sundays to photograph the worshippers.” The few Romanians who dared to worship at the church risked losing their job, their home, even their freedom.
Today
Our church, today
The fall of Ceausescu brought enormous changes in Bucharest. The service at the Church of the Resurrection is no longer the only English-language Christian service available in the city. Nevertheless this distinctively British building, upon which the cross was “lifted high” throughout the years of struggle, is a landmark worth visiting. The congregation is a remarkably broad mix of people of different traditions, nationalities, and cultures, including many Romanians. The Church of the Resurrection combines tradition with ecumenical development and ongoing commitment to witness in the modern world.
Help us care for this historic building
The Church of the Resurrection receives no regular financial support from either the British or
Romanian governments. The upkeep of this historic building depends on the generosity of our
community, friends, and those who use the space.
Consider holding your next event in our historic building. By holding your event here, you
are not only choosing a beautiful and memorable location—you are also helping preserve
an important part of Bucharest’s history.
