St. Jacob's Cathedral – the main Catholic Church of Latvia, the fourth largest Church in Riga. Cathedral. St. James is a monument of brick Gothic. The first mention of the Church located on the site of the present Cathedral, dates back to the year 1225. This date is engraved on the Central Western facade of the Church, consider the estimated year of construction of the Church. James.

During the reformation in 1552 parishioners took the risk to make this Church the first in the history of Riga worship in the Lutheran samples. In 1524, during the peak of the anti-Catholic riots of the Church.James, like most Catholic churches in the city, suffered defeat, which resulted in the almost complete destruction of the interior.

During the siege of the city by Russian troops of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in the Church.Jacob gets some shells. Two of them in memory of the siege of Riga were immured in the walls of the Central facade, and another two in the chancel.

Throughout its history the Church has several times changed their religion and partly rebuilt. In 1756 to the main Church building was added with a pointed spire in the form of an octahedron. In 1782 he built a new Central portal. Since 1923 the Church.James once again belongs to the Catholic religion.

The height of the Church tower, including the spire, is 80 meters. Inside you can see the vegetable ornamentation of the capitals in the choir of the Church. This type of ornament is rare for the Church Canon of Gothic sculptural decoration. The original Church was a hall type, today it is a three-nave building, which in terms of 27 to 50 meters. Overall the interior of the Church is simple and concise, however, consistent with the design concept of Catholic sacral buildings. In 1736 on the spire of the Church tower was placed traditional weather vane in the form of a rooster, which we can see today.

In 1680 the Church, which at that time was the main Royal Lutheran Church, was established the altar. It is assumed that he is one of the earliest altar in Latvia, designed in the Baroque style. Who is the Creator of this altar is unknown. In 1902 it was decided to eliminate the altar, already unserviceable. For the construction of the new was invited 2 the master: the Carver Jacob Shrade and sculptor Christoph Mittelhausen. Despite the fact that the old altar was dismantled, something remained, namely adorning the carved figure of the angels, which are stored in the Museum of history of Riga and navigation. In 1924, a new altar, which was the third one.

One of the interesting elements of the interior of the Church.James is the chair. It is made in empirecom style, it was made by master August Gotthilf Heibel in 1810, the pulpit is made of red wood, its area is placed intarsia with rich floral ornaments and exquisite arabesques. Generally a feature of the temple is a mixture of architectural styles in the interiors of the Church, while outside it is relatively homogeneous.

In 1761 organ master Henry Andrew Kanzius began to establish authority for the Church. Now this body has survived. A new one was made in 1913, the Creator of the modern body became master E. Martin. The Windows of the Cathedral.James covered the stained glass Windows were created, which refers to the past century. So three bright stained glass that adorn the Windows of the Eastern wall of the choir, made in 1902 in art Nouveau style.