Then came Russian Old Believers who were persecuted in their own country. After Latgale s incorporation into Russia, Russian officials and merchants settled here. After World War II the population of Daugavpils considerably increased because of rapid processes of urbanization and migration. Daugavpils is the second largest city in Latvia in terms of population. Religion and Church Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Orthodox, Old Believers, Judaic churches testify to the activities of various religions in the city.
Catholic traditions are deep and strong in the city.
St. Peter s Church, whose architecture to some extent resembles that of St. Peter s in Rome, was built in 1848. In 1924 the church was rebuilt and extended. Catholic Church was built in 1889 and St. Mary s Catholic Church in 1905. In 1893 the Lutheran congregation constructed M. Luther s church which now is being renovated. The church was designed by V. Neimanis, the first architect general in Daugavpils.