Kemeri (Kemmerne) is a part of the city of Jurmala, 44 kilometres from Riga. For a long time, the resort of Kemeri was famous for its hot mud and sulfur waters, which were popularly called the “holy spring”. There have always been many people who came from all over the country to heal themselves of various diseases and ailments (chronic sciatica, spine and joint diseases). Many of them were moving with difficulty or could not walk at all.
For the first time to master these gifts of nature from a medical point of view were undertaken at the end of the 18th century. However, as a hospital, Ķemeri began to actively progress in the first half of the 19th century. Among the sick people there were many Orthodox Christians. Spiritual support from the church was very important for them. Therefore, people began to ask that an Orthodox church be built in the town of Kemeri.
Only in 1873, thanks to donations, the construction of the church was started. For It is located on the first floor in a small room that belonged to the the administration of the hospital. The church was consecrated in the name of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul and and attached it to the Assumption Castle Church in Riga.
The church had a capacity of only about 22 people. Accordingly, it could not to accommodate all the people who wanted to attend. 15 years later, the church did not at all correspond to the spirit of that time. The small room could not accommodate the people who wanted to attend the service. The small room could not accommodate the people who wished to be at the to be in worship. The sick could not breathe in the stuffy room. The first floor was an insurmountable obstacle for people who could hardly move, let alone not to mention those who couldn't walk. As before, one could only enter the temple from the courtyard and up a steep, narrow staircase.
The disorganization and unworthy condition of the church attracted the attention of His Eminence Arseny, Bishop of Riga and Mitau, who visited the town of Kemeri for the first time. Without delay, he began to push for the construction of a new church. But there was no land, money or materials to build it.
This difficult work began in 1891. On the day of the first believer apostles Peter and Paul in the temple appealed to the parishioners for material help in the creation of the new church. Fundraising began. Actively helped in this endeavour was the director of Kemer waters, Dr A.G.Kulyabko-Koretsky. The funds were collected in a year. At the same time, a plot of land, received free of charge, was allocated. Building material was also found.
On 9 July 1892, Most Reverend Arsenius, Bishop of Riga and Mitava, consecrated the site and the laying of the Kemerna Church. The project was designed by the famous architect V. I. Lunsky. A year later the building was completed and the church was immediately consecrated. The temple was located in a very beautiful picturesque place among the centuries-old oaks. Opposite, in the so-called "state house", was located the Office of the of sulphurous waters.
The external image of the temple made a pleasant impression. A very successful connection of architectural forms, artistic masonry walls, density of individual parts of the building together with the bell tower emphasised the stylistic unity of the Peter and Paul Church. The interior furnishings of the church were distinguished by austerity in combination with a highly artistic iconostasis, carved icon cases, and artistic casting utensils. In the summer time the service was performed regularly.
On 10 July 1894 a remarkable event took place in the life of the church. THoly icons from the Greek Athos were sent to the Kemeri temple. The Bishop raised three icons: the Mother of God “Quick to Hear,” the Iveron Most Holy Theotokos, and the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon.
More than a century has passed since those times. The church has remained active all these years. In the post-war time there were especially many prayers, when Kemeri became a health resort for all the republics of the USSR. The resort with its exceptional therapeutic properties properties and natural conditions actively progressed, was beautified and gained widespread recognition.
At present, the church is in good condition and is the spiritual Orthodox centre of Ḥemeri and its surroundings.
