About the Church
The Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Gelvonai is a remarkable architectural and historical monument, standing in the town of Gelvonai. Built in 1897 to a design by Aleksei Polozov, the church reflects an eclectic style with predominant Baroque and Classicist elements. Interestingly, the church is towerless, giving it a unique feature of appearance.
The church was built of dressed stone, and a wooden bell tower can be found in the churchyard. This building is not only a centre of religious life but also a significant part of the cultural heritage, included in the Register of Cultural Property of the Republic of Lithuania.
The history of the church in Gelvonai began as early as the beginning of the 17th century, when an Evangelical Reformed chapel was built in the area. Over time, however, as owners changed, the chapel became a Franciscan monastery, founded by Jonas Krizostomas Daumantas Sesickis. In 1736 the former chapel was rebuilt into a church, in which a parish school operated.
The church's history is also connected with Antanas Baranauskas, the future poet and bishop, who lived here in 1848–1849. Unfortunately, in 1895 the old church burned down, and services were moved to a temporary masonry chapel.
The new church was built in 1895–1897, under the direction of parish priest J. Krinskis. Although at that time the priest did not speak Lithuanian, the church became an important part of the community. The church's history also had its dramatic moments, such as the 1915 incident, when two troublemakers were tried for causing a disturbance during services held in Lithuanian.
During the Second World War and the post-war period, the parish's life was marked by various hardships, but the church remained an important spiritual centre. One of the most notable priests of the post-war period was Juozapas Stakauskas, who was not only a parish priest but also a historian.
Having visited the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Gelvonai, it is worth taking a walk around its surroundings, feeling the spirit of the place and admiring its architectural features. It is a fine place for both religious contemplation and cultural discovery.
The church was built of dressed stone, and a wooden bell tower can be found in the churchyard. This building is not only a centre of religious life but also a significant part of the cultural heritage, included in the Register of Cultural Property of the Republic of Lithuania.
The history of the church in Gelvonai began as early as the beginning of the 17th century, when an Evangelical Reformed chapel was built in the area. Over time, however, as owners changed, the chapel became a Franciscan monastery, founded by Jonas Krizostomas Daumantas Sesickis. In 1736 the former chapel was rebuilt into a church, in which a parish school operated.
The church's history is also connected with Antanas Baranauskas, the future poet and bishop, who lived here in 1848–1849. Unfortunately, in 1895 the old church burned down, and services were moved to a temporary masonry chapel.
The new church was built in 1895–1897, under the direction of parish priest J. Krinskis. Although at that time the priest did not speak Lithuanian, the church became an important part of the community. The church's history also had its dramatic moments, such as the 1915 incident, when two troublemakers were tried for causing a disturbance during services held in Lithuanian.
During the Second World War and the post-war period, the parish's life was marked by various hardships, but the church remained an important spiritual centre. One of the most notable priests of the post-war period was Juozapas Stakauskas, who was not only a parish priest but also a historian.
Having visited the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Gelvonai, it is worth taking a walk around its surroundings, feeling the spirit of the place and admiring its architectural features. It is a fine place for both religious contemplation and cultural discovery.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Gelvonų Švč. Mergelės Marijos Apsilankymo bažnyčia. Fotografijos aprašymas ant pasporto: „Gelvonai. Bažnyčia šv. M. Marijos Apreiškimo“.