About the Church
The Church of the Apostles Sts Peter and Paul in Molėtai is one of those places that not only breathe antiquity but also tell many stories of people's lives, struggles and revival.
Let us begin with the fact that Molėtai was granted to the Bishop of Vilnius as early as 1387. This shows that the town has long been closely linked with church history. It is believed that the first church here was built in the second half of the 15th century, and it is already mentioned in written sources in 1522.
But life was never easy — during the Great Northern War the church was destroyed in 1702. Nevertheless, people did not stop striving to rebuild their religious centre, and the church was rebuilt around 1722. A Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was established in 1742, and a school operated in the parish from 1777.
An important turning point came in the 20th century, when the priest Kazimieras Bandzevičius took the initiative, together with the parishioners, to build a new masonry church. Construction took place in 1905–1907 and was supervised by the engineer Stepanas Sestržencevičius. In 1912 a new organ was installed, and in the same year the first public Lithuanian-language play took place in Molėtai. This shows that the church became a centre for the local community not only religiously but also culturally.
Unfortunately, history was not kind to everyone. Dean Matas Lajauskas, who had served as parish priest in Molėtai from 1924, became a casualty of the war — he was shot by retreating Soviet soldiers in 1941. In 1944 the church suffered further destruction — its towers were pulled down, and they were not rebuilt until 1977, despite obstruction from the local authorities.
Architecturally, the church is a true example of the Neo-Baroque style. It has a Latin-cross plan, two tall towers and a projecting facade. Inside are three naves, and the altars are decorated in the Baroque style. The church also has a stone-masonry wall and a flight of 18 steps leading up to the churchyard.
Visiting the Church of the Apostles Sts Peter and Paul in Molėtai, one can not only admire the architecture but also sense the breath of history and understand people's tenacity and their desire to preserve their culture and faith despite all trials.
Let us begin with the fact that Molėtai was granted to the Bishop of Vilnius as early as 1387. This shows that the town has long been closely linked with church history. It is believed that the first church here was built in the second half of the 15th century, and it is already mentioned in written sources in 1522.
But life was never easy — during the Great Northern War the church was destroyed in 1702. Nevertheless, people did not stop striving to rebuild their religious centre, and the church was rebuilt around 1722. A Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was established in 1742, and a school operated in the parish from 1777.
An important turning point came in the 20th century, when the priest Kazimieras Bandzevičius took the initiative, together with the parishioners, to build a new masonry church. Construction took place in 1905–1907 and was supervised by the engineer Stepanas Sestržencevičius. In 1912 a new organ was installed, and in the same year the first public Lithuanian-language play took place in Molėtai. This shows that the church became a centre for the local community not only religiously but also culturally.
Unfortunately, history was not kind to everyone. Dean Matas Lajauskas, who had served as parish priest in Molėtai from 1924, became a casualty of the war — he was shot by retreating Soviet soldiers in 1941. In 1944 the church suffered further destruction — its towers were pulled down, and they were not rebuilt until 1977, despite obstruction from the local authorities.
Architecturally, the church is a true example of the Neo-Baroque style. It has a Latin-cross plan, two tall towers and a projecting facade. Inside are three naves, and the altars are decorated in the Baroque style. The church also has a stone-masonry wall and a flight of 18 steps leading up to the churchyard.
Visiting the Church of the Apostles Sts Peter and Paul in Molėtai, one can not only admire the architecture but also sense the breath of history and understand people's tenacity and their desire to preserve their culture and faith despite all trials.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Molėtų Šv. apaštalų Petro ir Povilo bažnyčia. Fotografijos aprašymas ant pasporto: „Molėtai. šv. Petro ir Povilo bažnyčia 1905 m“.