About the Church
The Church of St Anthony of Padua in Birštonas is a striking Gothic Revival monument, rising in Birštonas on the right bank of the Nemunas. Picture this: you open the great wooden gates, and before your eyes opens up a spacious churchyard, enclosed by a low masonry wall. The church's tower reaches for the sky, recalling ancient cathedrals.
The church's history is deep and meaningful, beginning with its first mentions in 1529, when Birštonas was already called a town. A church stood here at that time, but it fell into decay owing to various historical vicissitudes. In 1609 King Sigismund Vasa ordered the starosta to rebuild the church, and thus began a new chapter in the religious community of Birštonas.
In the middle of the 17th century the church fell victim to the fighting with the Swedes and Russians and most likely burned down. Despite all the difficulties, local faith did not waver, and in 1787, with the help of the starosta of Prienai, K. Sapiega, a new wooden church was built on the site of the present Jonas Basanavičius Square.
At the end of the 19th century the parish of Birštonas decided to build a masonry church. The architect Vaclovas Michnevičius prepared the design, and construction was organised by the parish priest Albertas Urbša. After his death the work was continued by the parish priest Jonas Karvelis, who, together with the parishioners, completed the church's construction by 1909. Construction was supervised by the architect Edmundas Frykas, and the organ was built by the renowned Lithuanian craftsman Jonas Garalevičius.
The church is not only architecturally beautiful but also rich in its interior. It boasts three naves with vaulted ceilings and floors laid with stone slabs and mosaics. It is a place where every corner breathes history and spirituality.
In 1956 this church became a special place for the Bishop of Kaišiadorys, Teofilius Matulionis, who had returned from imprisonment in Mordovia. He settled in Birštonas with the parish priest Jonas Jonys, and here in 1957 he consecrated Vincentas Sladkevičius as bishop.
The Church of St Anthony of Padua in Birštonas is not only an architectural gem but also a witness to living history, reflecting many stages of Lithuania's past and the fates of its people. Visiting this church, one can feel not only spiritual peace but also a deep connection with the country's past.
The church's history is deep and meaningful, beginning with its first mentions in 1529, when Birštonas was already called a town. A church stood here at that time, but it fell into decay owing to various historical vicissitudes. In 1609 King Sigismund Vasa ordered the starosta to rebuild the church, and thus began a new chapter in the religious community of Birštonas.
In the middle of the 17th century the church fell victim to the fighting with the Swedes and Russians and most likely burned down. Despite all the difficulties, local faith did not waver, and in 1787, with the help of the starosta of Prienai, K. Sapiega, a new wooden church was built on the site of the present Jonas Basanavičius Square.
At the end of the 19th century the parish of Birštonas decided to build a masonry church. The architect Vaclovas Michnevičius prepared the design, and construction was organised by the parish priest Albertas Urbša. After his death the work was continued by the parish priest Jonas Karvelis, who, together with the parishioners, completed the church's construction by 1909. Construction was supervised by the architect Edmundas Frykas, and the organ was built by the renowned Lithuanian craftsman Jonas Garalevičius.
The church is not only architecturally beautiful but also rich in its interior. It boasts three naves with vaulted ceilings and floors laid with stone slabs and mosaics. It is a place where every corner breathes history and spirituality.
In 1956 this church became a special place for the Bishop of Kaišiadorys, Teofilius Matulionis, who had returned from imprisonment in Mordovia. He settled in Birštonas with the parish priest Jonas Jonys, and here in 1957 he consecrated Vincentas Sladkevičius as bishop.
The Church of St Anthony of Padua in Birštonas is not only an architectural gem but also a witness to living history, reflecting many stages of Lithuania's past and the fates of its people. Visiting this church, one can feel not only spiritual peace but also a deep connection with the country's past.
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