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Orthodox Churches, Chapels, and Sacred Places
Architecture for Orthodox communities in America, shaped by canonical understanding, historical knowledge, licensed practice, and practical construction experience.
We guide Orthodox communities from the first idea to a worthy house of God.
Our work combines Orthodox architectural scholarship, licensed professional practice, and direct knowledge of church life. We serve as the parish’s informed architectural advocate, helping clergy and building committees make decisions that protect the liturgy, the budget, and the long-term future of the community.
Aleksandr Molodin, PhD
Graduated from the Novosibirsk Architectural Institute. Holds MA and PhD degrees in architecture, with academic work focused on Orthodox church architecture and the history of Russian architecture. More than twenty-five years of architectural design experience.
Andrei Malyshev, RA, NCARB
Licensed architect. Cornell University, M.Arch in Architectural Design. Moscow Architectural Institute, Architecture. Orthodox deacon at St. George Church in Bayside, Queens, NY.
A complete architectural path for Orthodox communities
Concept and Feasibility
We turn an early idea into a clear architectural direction, with attention to liturgy, site, scale, cost, and future growth.
Master Planning
We prepare long-term development concepts for parish campuses, monasteries, cemeteries, retreat centers, and religious properties.
Construction Documents
We develop full architectural documentation and coordinate the technical work needed for permitting, pricing, and construction.
Construction Support
We help the parish stay oriented during construction, review decisions, clarify drawings, and support communication with builders.
Restoration and Reconstruction
We work with existing churches and sacred buildings, including adaptation, reconstruction, preservation, and careful renewal.
Project Review
We provide informed review of existing proposals, helping parishes avoid costly mistakes before drawings, budgets, or contracts go too far.
Selected Projects
Predesign Chapel Projects
Predesign chapels and small churches for private land, small Orthodox communities, cemeteries, roadside sites, memorial places, holy springs, historic locations, and places of prayer. In the Orthodox tradition, a chapel sanctifies the surrounding space and gives a person a place to turn to God beyond the walls of a large church. Our pavilion-type designs avoid unnecessary complexity and can be built on your site by a qualified team in a short time.
Pre-Design Chapel
These are not prefabricated buildings. They are carefully developed chapel designs that can be adapted to a specific site, documented for construction, and built by an experienced team prepared to assemble the project on location.
Small Church
These are not prefabricated buildings. They are carefully developed chapel designs that can be adapted to a specific site, documented for construction, and built by an experienced team prepared to assemble the project on location.
Testimonials
Hegumen Nikodim (Balyasnikov)
Acting Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA
Aleksandr Molodin is one of the leading experts on the history and architecture of Orthodox churches in North America. His multifaceted efforts to promote the history of Orthodoxy in the New World are highly regarded not only by the clergy and parishioners of the Russian Orthodox Church, but also by those of other Churches in the United States.Read full text
Priest Sergiy (Kosov)
Rector of St. Joseph of Optina Orthodox Church in Virginia Beach (ROCOR)
We wholeheartedly recommend Aleksandr Molodin to Orthodox parishes, monasteries, and anyone seeking to build in a way that is faithful to Orthodox tradition, thoughtfully planned, and professionally executed.Read full text
Alex and Jessie Braszko
St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church, Kansas City, MO
We could never have accomplished this as perfectly and as quickly as we did without Sasha, and we thank God for this experience.Read full text
A rare combination of scholarship, faith, and licensed architectural practice.
Aleksandr Molodin, PhD
Architectural historian, researcher of Orthodox architecture in America, and architect with more than twenty-five years of design experience.
Andrei Malyshev, RA NCARB
Licensed architect, Orthodox deacon, and specialist in professional architectural practice, permitting, coordination, and construction documentation.
Books, guides, and resources for Orthodox communities
Explore Orthodox Domes of America, request the free Orthodox wall calendar, and follow the forthcoming practical guide for building an Orthodox church in the United States.
Every sacred project deserves a clear first step.
Tell us about your parish, monastery, chapel, or sacred site. We will help you understand what can be built, how to begin, and what the next responsible step should be.
Send a Project Note