WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE “HOPE” CHURCH IN NOVOHRADKIVKA, ODESA REGION
The history of the village of Novogradkivka in the Odesa region dates back to 1805, when German settlers founded a new settlement named Neuburg – after the Bavarian town of the same name. From the very beginning, the village had a distinct confessional identity: its residents belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran faith. This ethnic and religious composition remained until March 20, 1944, when the entire indigenous German population was forcibly deported.
AN ARCHITECTURAL GEM OF THE REGION
The center of the community’s spiritual life was the Evangelical Lutheran church, built in 1903–1904 and consecrated on October 10, 1904. The project was designed by architect Christian Beutelspacher (b. 1864), a native of Novogradkivka, as a gift to the village of his origin.
The church remained in community ownership until 1933, when Soviet authorities confiscated church property and banned worship. During World War II, the bell tower was destroyed, and the building was altered. After reconstruction of the façade, it served for many years as a so called “House of Culture” a community center for the new population of the village.
In 2000, the building was closed due to its unsafe condition. In 2005, it was transferred to the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine, and a Lutheran congregation was reestablished in the village.
THE DECISION TO REBUILD
In 2023, the Synodal Committee of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine approved the reconstruction of the historic church building. Key steps have already been completed:
- a technical assessment confirming the feasibility of restoration;
- a heritage protection agreement signed with the state;
- funding secured for a reconstruction project restoring the historic exterior and redesigning the interior into a three-story structure.
The project has been approved by the Department of Cultural Heritage and is currently undergoing technical review. The preparatory phase is expected to be completed by mid-2026, after which reconstruction will begin.
FUTURE PURPOSE OF THE BUILDING
The reconstructed “Hope” Church will serve not only as a place of worship but also as a multifunctional social and educational center. The building will include:
- facilities for the local community;
- a chapel;
- a Sunday school;
- the “Bethany” children’s center, which has been supporting children from vulnerable families for 16 years;
- a social kitchen providing meals to around 30 people across three villages for the past five years;
- a self-help center for elderly people living alone, especially needed during winter.
The project aims to provide both social and educational support to residents of Novogradkivka and nearby villages. Restoring this historic church – an architectural gem and former spiritual home for thousands of Lutheran families – will become a powerful symbol of hope and renewal.
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
Around 20 Lutheran churches and organizations from Europe and North America have already joined the project. It is included in the 2026 GAW catalogue and supported by the North American Lutheran Church (USA). The following German church organizations also confirmed their intention to support the project: Nagelkreuzgemeinschaft Deutschland e.V., Martin-Luther-Bund e.V., and Martin-Luther-Verein in Bayern e.V.
The preparatory phase costs – approximately €65,000 – have already been covered with the support of international partners, the Finnish Church, the Novogradkivka community fund, and the Church Administration of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine.
INVITATION TO JOIN THE PROJECT
Reconstruction of the “Hope” Church is an opportunity to provide spiritual support, create a space for helping those in need, and restore an important historical landmark of the region.
We invite you to join the reconstruction of the “Hope” Church in Novogradkivka, Odesa region.
For more information, please contact the project coordinator – Pastor Oleksandr Gross:
yc.petrodolina@gmail.com +380674864215
Donations can also be sent to one of the accounts of the Church Administration of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine with the reference: “Charitable donation – Novogradkivka”.
Together, we can build Hope!