The Chapel of Peace was erected on the site of the Uspenski Cathedral in 1913. It was built as a centenary memorial to mark the Peace Treaty of Hamina, which ended the Finnish War between Sweden and Russia. The Chapel was known locally as the Chapel of Resvoi, after the Russian bookseller Nicholai Resvoi An architectural competition was set up to choose the designs for the Chapel but the winning design was never realized. New designs were commissioned from Professor L. P. Shisko, who recruited Russian workmen to build the Chapel. The consecration of the Chapel on October 27, 1913 was an impressive affair, complete with a service, the bearing of

the cross, a military parade and evening festivities.
      The Chapel of Peace was constructed without the permission of the city authorities. From the outset, it had been an affront to the Finnish people because it represented for them the oppressive politics practised by Russia. One spring night the Chapel was tarred. The tar soaked so thoroughly into the soapstone walls that it was impossible to remove. The offenders remained officially anonymous but they are thought to have been nationalist University students. The Chapel's brief existence ended with its demolition in 1920.