In this series, I am providing pictures of tombstones from Latvian cemeteries, all with death dates prior to 1945. Usually I don’t have any more information on the people, but this time I do!
Photo taken by me, April 2012. Click to enlarge.
Top Inscription: “Savam mīļam mÄcÄ«tÄjam” (“For our dear minister”)
Name: JÄnis Opsis, born February 7, 1865; died January 13, 1930.
Bottom Inscription: “PateicÄ«gÄ Dubultu draudze. MÄ«lestÄ«ba nekad nebeigsies.” (“From the thankful Dubulti congregation. Love never ends.”)
Location: Dubulti cemetery, JÅ«rmala.
As mentioned on the tombstone, JÄnis Opsis was the minister for the Dubulti Lutheran congregation in what is now the city of JÅ«rmala. The congregation in Dubulti had been there for awhile, but until 1903 was subject to the main church in Sloka. Population growth resulted in the splitting off of the Dubulti church. It was at this time that JÄnis Opsis became the minister, serving until his death in 1930. The current Dubulti church was built under his leadership.