Tomsk's Roman Catholic church is one of the more unexpected buildings in the city — a full neo-Gothic Catholic church, built in red brick with pointed arches and a small tower, sitting incongruously on a Siberian street. It was built between 1897 and 1900 to serve the city's substantial Polish exile community, deported to Siberia following the failed Polish uprisings against Russian rule.
The church is the oldest Catholic church in Western Siberia still in use. The interior is modest but well-maintained, with a simple nave and an organ that still functions. Services are held regularly and are open to visitors. The building is particularly striking in winter, when snow covers the roof and the red brick stands out sharply against the white landscape.
The church stands near the city centre and is easily reached on foot. It is a quiet, dignified place that serves as a reminder of the diverse communities that ended up in Siberian cities through force or circumstance.