About the Church
The Church of St Michael the Archangel in Palomenė is a special historical and cultural site, located in the village of Palomenė, near the River Lomena. This church not only reflects the region's religious history but also offers a unique architectural experience.
The first chapel, which later became the present church, was built as far back as 1809 on the initiative of the landowner M. Zaleckis. The chapel was erected over a burial vault at the manor of Palomenė, and some time later, in 1840, three altars appeared in it. This shows that even then this place was important to the local community.
In 1864, after the closure of the Dominican monastery in Paparčiai, the monk-priest Poliakovskis settled in Palomenė. Although the chapel was meant to hold services only four times a year, it gradually gained ever greater significance. In the late 19th century, in 1903, the chapel was substantially repaired, and in 1915 its status was raised to that of a church – it was then that the parish was established. Parish priest Juozapas Stosiūnas, who began serving in 1916, even founded a small parish library, thereby promoting education and culture in the local community.
During the interwar period and the Soviet occupation the church underwent severe trials. One of the most tragic moments was on 22 June 1941, when Red Army soldiers shot parish priest Jonas Tutinas together with other servants of the church. Despite these tragedies, the church survived and continued to serve the local community.
As for its architecture, the Church of St Michael the Archangel in Palomenė is a wooden building in the Classicist style. It stands out for its rectangular plan and the portico, visible from the front, supported by four columns. The building also has no tower, which gives it a certain distinctiveness. A wooden bell tower stands on the church grounds, and the churchyard is enclosed by a new metal fence, thanks to which the surroundings look particularly tidy and well kept.
Thus, the Church of St Michael the Archangel in Palomenė is not only a place of religious rites, but also an important historical monument, testifying to the spirituality, endurance and desire of the local people to preserve their cultural heritage.
The first chapel, which later became the present church, was built as far back as 1809 on the initiative of the landowner M. Zaleckis. The chapel was erected over a burial vault at the manor of Palomenė, and some time later, in 1840, three altars appeared in it. This shows that even then this place was important to the local community.
In 1864, after the closure of the Dominican monastery in Paparčiai, the monk-priest Poliakovskis settled in Palomenė. Although the chapel was meant to hold services only four times a year, it gradually gained ever greater significance. In the late 19th century, in 1903, the chapel was substantially repaired, and in 1915 its status was raised to that of a church – it was then that the parish was established. Parish priest Juozapas Stosiūnas, who began serving in 1916, even founded a small parish library, thereby promoting education and culture in the local community.
During the interwar period and the Soviet occupation the church underwent severe trials. One of the most tragic moments was on 22 June 1941, when Red Army soldiers shot parish priest Jonas Tutinas together with other servants of the church. Despite these tragedies, the church survived and continued to serve the local community.
As for its architecture, the Church of St Michael the Archangel in Palomenė is a wooden building in the Classicist style. It stands out for its rectangular plan and the portico, visible from the front, supported by four columns. The building also has no tower, which gives it a certain distinctiveness. A wooden bell tower stands on the church grounds, and the churchyard is enclosed by a new metal fence, thanks to which the surroundings look particularly tidy and well kept.
Thus, the Church of St Michael the Archangel in Palomenė is not only a place of religious rites, but also an important historical monument, testifying to the spirituality, endurance and desire of the local people to preserve their cultural heritage.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Fotografiniame atvaizde įamžinta klasicistinio stiliaus medinė Palomenės Šv. arkangelo Mykolo bažnytėlė iš pagrindinio fasado pusės. Dengta dvišlaičiu stogu, skydas dekoruotas dailylenčių apkalu, portikas su keturiomis kolonomis.