Kirdeikių Šv. Jono Krikštytojo bažnyčia

The Church of St John the Baptist in Kirdeikiai is not only a house of prayer but also an important part of Lithuania's cultural and historical heritage. The church stands in the village of Kirdeikiai, in a beautiful spot on the south-western shore of Lake Pakasas, and is part of the Molėtai Deanery of the Diocese of Kaišiadorys.

The church was built in 1927, using wood and Historicist-style architecture, in which the imitation of Gothic elements predominates. The design was prepared and construction supervised by the engineer Litas, and the church was consecrated by Bishop Juozapas Kukta.

The history of its construction is linked to the difficult 20th-century period of Lithuania. After the First World War, part of the Linkmenys parish, along with its church, ended up in territory occupied by Poland. Because of the persecution of Lithuanian cultural activity, the parish priest of Linkmenys, Juozas Breiva, fled to Kirdeikiai and took the initiative to build a new church. The Lithuanian government supported the idea, providing materials and financial assistance.

The architecture of the Church of St John the Baptist in Kirdeikiai stands out for its beauty: a three-sided apse with annexes, two towers and a projecting facade. Inside are three naves separated by columns, which give the space a sense of grandeur. The Gothic Revival altars — the high altar and two side altars — became a special feature of the church. In 2009 they were restored and gilded, and the renewed altars were solemnly blessed during the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Žolinė).

The churchyard is also worth attention: a stone wall base with raised columns, and an openwork railing and metal gate forged by a local blacksmith, create an authentic and welcoming atmosphere. Two bells hang in the church's bell tower. The larger bell, “Benediktas”, cast in 1930, is named after its donor Benediktas, while the smaller one, with Latin inscriptions, cast in the 18th century, is named in honour of the respected local man Jonas Maciulevičius.

The church of Kirdeikiai is not only a place of prayer; it is also an important cultural and historical asset. Here was born and worked the noted figure of the Lithuanian National Revival, poet and Aušra contributor, the priest Silvestras Gimžauskas. His memory is also preserved by the parish house, blessed in 1936.

This church is a living testimony to the endurance and faith of the nation, which strengthened the community in the most difficult of times.