[3] The government led by Prime Minister Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics had started legislating for the transfer of Baltic German St James's Church to the Roman Catholic Church as well as forcing the Lutheran Church to share Riga Cathedral with the Catholics.

[2] The moves were vigorously opposed by Paul Schiemann, a prominent defender of minority rights, who claimed the bill would "abandon the principles of a state of culture and law" during a parliamentary debate.

[2] Schiemann attracted international sympathy for the Lutheran Church's fight, and managed to force the country's first ever referendum.

[3] The referendum had required 400,000 to vote in favour for it to succeed,[2] but achieved only just over half the number.

[2] The Lutherans were also forced to share Riga Cathedral with the Catholics.