The Church of Saints Simon and Helena (aka Red Church) was built entirely using red brick. The nobleman Edvard Vajnilovič financed the construction and it was named in commemoration of his children (Simon and Helena) who died young. The legend says that Helena had a dream about a church before she passed away and her drawing served as a preliminary scheme for construction in 1904-1910. In reality, it’s a copy of Jutrosin’s church.

In the past, the building was used as a theatre, a movie studio and the Museum of the History of Belarusian Cinema before it was returned to the Catholic Сhurch in 1990. As it often happened with religious buildings, the Red Church was almost left undamaged from the war.

Vajnilovič wanted the church to be not only a religious institution but also a place for cultural and educational events. I love organ recitals and I sincerely recommend you check this Facebook group for the details on upcoming concerts by the organist Yury Habrus. Donation-based recitals are given once per month. Organ music is well known for its powerful therapeutic impact and the church’s acoustics definitely enhance this effect. You can also have a walk around the churchyard and enjoy one of the few tiny Minsk urban gardens while waiting for a concert to start.

The neighbouring building at Sviardlova 2 could be a great bonus. The former kitchen factory (dating back to 1936) was restored and you can check their museum along with the preserved fragments of the ceiling original painting and recreated plaster molding.