Interfaith Church "Peace, Love and Unity", Kyiv

The name promises something beyond denomination, almost utopian: a temple where, supposedly, all faiths gather together. In reality, behind the sign reading "Peace, Love and Unity" stands one specific congregation — a Kyiv church of Evangelical Christian Baptists.

And that's not the only paradox here. A building named in honour of unity also made headlines because of a loud dispute over who actually owns it.

Quick facts

What it is and why go

Kyiv is used to onion domes and crosses — there are hundreds of Orthodox cathedrals here. A large Protestant church in modern architecture, on the other hand, is a far rarer sight in the capital. That's exactly why the "Peace, Love and Unity" temple is interesting even to people with no connection to the Baptist faith.

This is a house of worship for Evangelical Christian Baptists — a denomination with deep roots in Ukraine that's rarely associated with large-scale buildings. There's no iconostasis, no gilding, no side chapels with icons of saints: the Protestant tradition emphasises preaching and community over lavish decoration. So it's worth visiting more for the context than for "wow architecture" — it's a chance to see a different, non-canonical side of Kyiv.

History

The emergence of large Protestant congregations in Kyiv is, for the most part, a story of the last few decades. After Ukraine gained independence, Evangelical churches — which had existed semi-underground for decades under Soviet rule — were finally able to build their own large houses of worship. The "Peace, Love and Unity" temple arose on exactly that wave: construction got underway in the late 1990s.

What followed is what made the temple known well beyond its own congregation. A property dispute erupted around the building. One side claimed to have been involved in the construction since the late 1990s, but was later denied access to the building. The dispute came down to the central question facing any temple built through joint effort: who, in the end, actually owns it?

The conflict escalated to the point of a criminal case being opened over the situation. For a Protestant community that prizes its reputation as a "church without scandals", this was a painful episode — all the more ironic for having unfolded under a sign bearing the words "peace" and "unity".

The paradox of the name

In the Orthodox tradition, "temple" (khram) refers to a building used for worship. Baptists, however, more often say "house of prayer" or "prayer house" — the word "temple" is less typical for them. So the name "Interdenominational Temple" already sits a bit oddly within Protestant vocabulary, and it tends to confuse passers-by.

The word "interdenominational" in the name is best read not as "belongs to all denominations", but rather as a declaration of openness: the doors here aren't closed to people of other traditions. Legally and in practice, it is a congregation of Evangelical Christian Baptists.

What to see and do on site

The architecture from outside. A modern Protestant building without the classic onion domes and gilded crosses — already a contrast to the familiar Kyiv skyline. It's worth walking around it to take in the facade.

A service. If you want to understand how the congregation lives, drop in on a Sunday service. Baptist services are open to guests and feature plenty of singing and preaching. Behave as you would at someone else's celebration: quietly, respectfully, and without taking photos during prayer.

Neighbourhood context. Pechersk is a district of contrasts, where upscale new developments, Soviet-era blocks and green hillsides sit side by side. The temple fits well into a broader walk around Pechersk.

How to get there

Address. Pechersk district, Lomakivska St. (formerly Michurina St.), 66–70.

By public transport. The easiest approach is to head for Pechersk and then take surface transport to Lomakivska Street. Check your route in a maps app on the day of your visit.

By car. On the way to Pechersk; park on the surrounding streets according to local rules.

Tip. If your goal is to get inside, plan your visit around a service time — on weekdays the building is usually closed to visitors.

Traveller's checklist

• Modest clothing — if you plan to attend a service.
• A camera — for shots from outside; ask permission first if shooting indoors.
• Service schedule — check ahead so you don't arrive at locked doors.
• Respect — this is an active congregation, not a museum.

What NOT to do: don't photograph people during prayer without permission, and don't treat the visit as a sightseeing tour — for the congregation, this is first and foremost a house of faith.

Frequently asked questions

Is this really an "interdenominational" temple?

Despite the name, this is a congregation of Evangelical Christian Baptists. The word "interdenominational" here is more a declaration of openness than a legal status.

Can a tourist go inside?

Yes, Baptist services are open to guests. The best time to visit is a Sunday service, and visitors should behave respectfully towards the congregation.

How is it different from an Orthodox church?

Inside, there's no iconostasis, icons or gilding. The focus is on preaching, Bible reading and communal singing — this is the Protestant tradition.

Where is it located?

In Kyiv's Pechersk district, on Lomakivska Street (formerly Michurina), 66–70.

The "Peace, Love and Unity" temple isn't the kind of place people cross half the city to photograph. But it's an honest slice of a different Kyiv: a city where, alongside the golden domes, an entirely different Christian tradition lives on, with its own buildings, its own rules and, as it turns out, its own loud disputes.

Sometimes the most interesting thing about a place isn't its walls, but the story of how people couldn't share what they built in the name of unity.