How the Onion Dome Came To Be – A Volga German - Russian Partnership
The belfry of the Free Evangelical Brethren Church (later the German Congregational Brethren Church) was originally formed by a four-sided pyramidal peak, which was an economical form of a spire. Its transformation to a Russian onion dome was a partnership forged between a Russian Orthodox Friar and a Volga German craftsman
The former Free Evangelical Brethren Church in 2012. The church building is located at 3605 NE Mallory and remains standing today. Photograph courtesy of Marla Keevy Sanders.
In 1926, the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church congregation met in the home of Friar Constantine Lebedev, which served as a chapel for the growing congregation. When the German Congregational Evangelical Brethren Church decided to build a new structure at NE Mason and Garfield in 1926, the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church purchased the old church building on NE Mallory from the German Brethren congregation. Friar John Zlobin led the St. Nicholas church at this time.
The old Brethren church was directly adjacent to the backyard of Conrad and Christina Weber, a Volga German family from Norka, Russia, who resided at 762 Rodney Avenue, now 3606 NE Rodney Avenue. Conrad Weber became friends with both Friars Lebedev and Zlobin, who knew that Conrad was a carpenter. Friar Zlobin asked Conrad to work with G. V. Krivoshein, a member of the Orthodox church and cabinetmaker, to help construct a Russian Orthodox-style onion dome to replace the conventional four-sided spire atop the church's belfry. Conrad was a real "go-getter." he worked with Krivoshein to design and build the dome, which measures ten feet in height and ten feet in diameter. The bulbous dome was constructed in Conrad’s garage, and scaffolding was installed at the church to aid in the installation atop the belfry. Family members recall that Conrad was proud of his work and would climb up the belfry periodically to paint the dome a brilliant gold color.
The old Brethren church was directly adjacent to the backyard of Conrad and Christina Weber, a Volga German family from Norka, Russia, who resided at 762 Rodney Avenue, now 3606 NE Rodney Avenue. Conrad Weber became friends with both Friars Lebedev and Zlobin, who knew that Conrad was a carpenter. Friar Zlobin asked Conrad to work with G. V. Krivoshein, a member of the Orthodox church and cabinetmaker, to help construct a Russian Orthodox-style onion dome to replace the conventional four-sided spire atop the church's belfry. Conrad was a real "go-getter." he worked with Krivoshein to design and build the dome, which measures ten feet in height and ten feet in diameter. The bulbous dome was constructed in Conrad’s garage, and scaffolding was installed at the church to aid in the installation atop the belfry. Family members recall that Conrad was proud of his work and would climb up the belfry periodically to paint the dome a brilliant gold color.
Sources
Kris Wunsch Zelinka, electronic mail, May 26, 1999.
The Oregonian, January 5, 1961, article by Mervin Shoemaker titled Bulbous Russian Dome Tops Church Where Old World Rites Hold Sway, p. 21.
Website of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 2015.
The Oregonian, January 5, 1961, article by Mervin Shoemaker titled Bulbous Russian Dome Tops Church Where Old World Rites Hold Sway, p. 21.
Website of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 2015.
Last updated October 2, 2025