The bright yellow neo-Gothic church that dominates Freedom Square is a real survivor among the city's churches; Despite two attempts to demolish it in the last century, it has survived and is likely to remain in existence for a long time to come. The idea of St. John's Church first appeared in the mid-19th century when the growing population of the city made the Church of the Holy Spirit too small for its followers, and thus a new church was established named after St. John at the priest's suggestion.