The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Fastov

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is one of the few historical monuments of Fastov, the main center of Catholicism and spiritual life of the city. Three churches changed each other, until in the early 20th century a modern cathedral was built in their place. The first temple was built at the end of the 16th century, but it was destroyed by fire, the second one was damaged during the time of Koliivshchina, the third cathedral became small for a large Catholic community and was demolished.

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is one of the few historical monuments of Fastov, the main center of Catholicism and the spiritual life of the city.Threechurches changed each other, untilin the early 20th century a modern cathedral was built in their place. The first temple was built in the late 16th century, but it was destroyed by a fire, the second one was damaged during the time of Kolyivschyna, the third cathedral became small for a large Catholic community and was demolished.

The modern church was built according to the project of the architect Dombrowski in the period from 1903 to 1911 with the money of the city public. In the last year of construction, in order to collect the missing amount, a charity concert was held on the organ installed in the church. Within the walls of the temple were the works of Bach and Schumann.

In Soviet times, the church was closed, but in the post-war period the Orthodox Church operated here.  In 1989, with the active support of Valentina Tereshkova, the church was returned to the Catholics of Fastov and in 1990 the church was consecrated again.

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a wonderful example of neo-Gothic. The building is made of yellow brick. On the main facade are two towers, and above the entrance to the church can be seen  a large round window-rose, a traditional element of Gothic temples. 

Now the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is the main tourist site of Fastov, its historical, cultural and architectural monument. One of the most unique places in the Kiev region.