🏛 Menshikov Tower (Church of the Archangel Gabriel)

Архангельский пер., 15А, стр. 9

A church built for Menshikov higher than the Ivan the Great Bell Tower; its tall spire burned from lightning in 1723.

The church was built in 1704–1707 to a design by Ivan Zarudny in the Naryshkin Baroque style.
At 84 meters the tower exceeded the Ivan the Great Bell Tower by 3 meters and became Moscow's tallest building.
The occasion was an icon of the Mother of God from Polotsk, believed to have been painted by the Evangelist Luke.
Menshikov also ordered the Poganye Ponds by the church cleaned up, and ever since they have been the Chistye (Clean) Ponds.
In 1708 an English clock with chimes was installed on the tower and 50 bells were hung.
In 1773 the church was restored by the Freemason Gavriil Izmailov, and Masonic symbols and inscriptions appeared on the walls.
Since 1948 the church has belonged to the Representation of the Antiochian Orthodox Church.