Riga Church in the name of the Holy prophet John the Baptist is the oldest Church of the city. The majestic Church building is the oldest city cemetery, in which popularly is called "Ivanovo". Confirmed information about burial sites date back to the mid-17th century.

Burial in the cemetery, subsequently extended history has been so intense that in 1886 at the Ivanovo cemetery built a wooden chapel, which was consecrated in the name of the Holy prophet John the Baptist. Although even then, there was felt the necessity of construction of the Church. Practically, this decision has been begun only in 1882. A project was developed, estimates, drawings for migrating wooden saints Church "as it is" in Ivanovo cemetery. Made by architect J. F. Baumann. The decision on transfer of the Church has caused conflicting statements. Some thought it sacrilege, others offered assistance in the implementation of this plan.

Disassembly of the wooden churches, the movement of materials in Ivanovo cemetery and the erection of the old Church in the updated form was conducted by the whole world. The Church was built as a single ensemble with the existing Ivanovo cemetery chapel. As a result of the efforts of many people, the construction work was completed in a year, and September 11, 1883 the Church was consecrated. The Church bought the updated architectural form, the internal arrangement of the Church remains the same.

Riga Church in the name of the Holy prophet John the forerunner was built only on donations. Its share, and a lot that has made the owners and workers Kuznetsov porcelain factory, which, among other things, made at the factory of the common faith of the Orthodox chapel, and also opened two schools, one for boys and one for girls. Many of the factory workers sang in the Church choir for free, which was important, since paid singers, the Church could not contain, as of the Johannine Church was assigned to the Church of all saints, and all proceeds went there.

Thus, his first independent work of the Johannine Church began with practically no funds. The construction of the Church, its work and content for the first time was carried out through the efforts of parishioners who, in addition, on their own put in order Ivanovo cemetery. In 1884, were purchased 2 bell, again on the funds collected.

10 years after the erection of the Church in the name of the Holy prophet John the forerunner the number of parishioners has grown so much that a decision was made about the formation of an independent parish. As a result, the parish was opened on August 4, 1892. Fears that the parish is not able to support themselves, were not justified. The Church also received donations from their members, the state also provided assistance. Gradually John parish has become one of the most revered in Riga.

The exact time of the start of construction of a brick Church on the site of a wooden unknown. Presumably this was in the late 19th and early 20th centuries There is a letter from 16.08.1928 the year in which the Archpriest Nikolai Alfeev writes about the imminent completion of construction (thanks to generous donations). He reports that construction is so fast that we should take care of the iconostasis, icons, throne and altars. On the basis of a number of such letters, we can assume that the consecration of the new temple took place in the autumn of 1929.

Old wooden Church gradually fell into disrepair. However, was granted a request for repair of the Church on generous donations in order to carry out worship in the winter. External and internal refurbishment was carried out successfully. In addition, came a positive response to a General request for the re-consecration of St John wooden Church in the Church of the Kazan icon of the Mother of God.

The head of the Latvian Orthodox Church, his Eminence John (Pommer) personally acquainted with the state of preparation John parish celebrations. However, to participate in them he had not, as in the night of 12 October 1934 he was brutally murdered. His burnt body was found tied. In the body had two bullet. According to the examination, they burned him alive while he was still breathing. This event shocked residents

In terms of General hardest of wars, troubles and trials of the Johannine Church remained active. Moreover, according to the records of the postwar period, it was among the most visited. With the advent of the 60s wave of atheism fell upon Orthodoxy. Many churches were closed, destroyed, rebuilt for the needs of the state. Atheistic persecutions raised and the Johannine Church. The parish was ordered to move into the wooden Church of Kazan. However, the congregation managed to defend the stone temple. But Kazan Church was not closed. Since the 1970s, and to this day he acts as Catholic.

Exclusively the parish funds in 1995-96 was carried out repair and restoration work of the Riga Church in the name of the Holy prophet John the Baptist. Today, the temple is one of the respected Orthodox centres in Riga. He provides the needs of the Church and the parish, being a philanthropist.