St. James Cathedral, Riga
LATVIA,
2004, St. James (Jacob) Cathedral, Scott 601
St. James (or St. Jacob) Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Riga. It was first mentioned in ancient chronicles in 1225. After the Reformation it was taken over by the Lutherans, and in 1522 was the first church in Latvia to hold Lutheran services. But in 1582 during a Polish occupation it was returned the Catholics, and entrusted to the Jesuits. In 1621 it became a Swedish garrison church. Only in 1922 was it turned over to Catholic community, and it is the Catholic cathedral in Riga. The church tower of is the only one in the city that still has the Gothic spire that was one of the main earlier characteristics for all Riga churches. The steeple of St. James Church was unique—its bell hangs outside. This bell has gained the name "Bell of Wretched Sinners," and legend says that townspeople had it removed because it would ring by itself when any unfaithful wife went by.