| Petershagen was the birthplace of 2G-grandmother Anna Fast
Koop; additionally, 5-great grandparents Johann and Maria
Bergmann Jantzen, ancestors of the Epp family, were founders of this village in
1805. Today the Petershagen visit centers on the story of a church
returning.
The Petershagen Church was originally built in 1892, replacing an earlier 1831 building.
During the Soviet period, it became a storage building, but in the past few years, the
people of the village, now Kutuzovka, wished to have it as a church -- a Mennonite Church.
A Mennonite missionary has come from Canada to both help with the restoration and
to help lead a growing congregation.
Canadian Mennonites have been generous with support of the reconstruction,
and this group was one of the targets of the aid that we brought in suitcases.
An expert local craftswoman rebuilds another of the windows. A new roof has been
installed, and the inside has been beautifully re-plastered. Occupation is within
sight, and we will be interested to hear of the progress of the Petershagen Mennonite
Church.
The windows in this photo await their turn for renewal, already letting God's light
re-occupy the sanctuary.
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