About the Church
The Church of St Francis of Assisi in Saldutiškis is a remarkable architectural and spiritual building, situated in the cosy little town of Saldutiškis, in Utena district. The church stands on Liepų Street, close to the main road connecting Utena with Kaltanėnai and Švenčionys.
This church has not only special architectural value but also a rich history going back to the beginning of the last century. In 1922 the priest Antanas Maciulevičius returned from Russia to Lithuania, and he was one of the main initiators of the founding of this parish. The first chapel was set up in the hall of Saldutiškis manor, where the priest Maciulevičius began holding services.
In 1923 canon Juozapas Kukta, who then administered part of the Diocese of Vilnius, established the parish of Saldutiškis. Later, in 1924, Stanislovas Švėgžda, also returned from Russia, was appointed parish priest. The land reform commission handed over the manor house of Saldutiškis to the parish, which became the presbytery. Thus began the construction of the church: on the foundations of the former manor granary, a masonry lower section was built, while the upper section was made of wood, with towers.
Construction work lasted from 1925 to 1928. The church community grew and flourished, but the Second World War and the Soviet occupation left a deep mark. The parish administrator, the priest Juozapas Gustas, was arrested and died in the Krasnoyarsk region.
Until 1985 dean Juozapas Masalskas served as parish priest in Saldutiškis, and he contributed greatly to the church's repair and preservation. After his death, the church became even more loved and respected by members of the local community.
Architecturally, the church of Saldutiškis is unique. Its lower section is built of stone, while the upper section is of wood. The church is of rectangular plan, a single nave with three altars. The main facade is adorned with two massive towers, which give the building grandeur. The churchyard is enclosed by a wooden fence, with a small storehouse standing at its north-eastern corner and a cross raised on the eastern side.
Despite all the historical vicissitudes, the Church of St Francis of Assisi in Saldutiškis has remained an important part of the local culture and spiritual life. It is not only a house of religion but also a place where history, architecture and community memory meet.
This church has not only special architectural value but also a rich history going back to the beginning of the last century. In 1922 the priest Antanas Maciulevičius returned from Russia to Lithuania, and he was one of the main initiators of the founding of this parish. The first chapel was set up in the hall of Saldutiškis manor, where the priest Maciulevičius began holding services.
In 1923 canon Juozapas Kukta, who then administered part of the Diocese of Vilnius, established the parish of Saldutiškis. Later, in 1924, Stanislovas Švėgžda, also returned from Russia, was appointed parish priest. The land reform commission handed over the manor house of Saldutiškis to the parish, which became the presbytery. Thus began the construction of the church: on the foundations of the former manor granary, a masonry lower section was built, while the upper section was made of wood, with towers.
Construction work lasted from 1925 to 1928. The church community grew and flourished, but the Second World War and the Soviet occupation left a deep mark. The parish administrator, the priest Juozapas Gustas, was arrested and died in the Krasnoyarsk region.
Until 1985 dean Juozapas Masalskas served as parish priest in Saldutiškis, and he contributed greatly to the church's repair and preservation. After his death, the church became even more loved and respected by members of the local community.
Architecturally, the church of Saldutiškis is unique. Its lower section is built of stone, while the upper section is of wood. The church is of rectangular plan, a single nave with three altars. The main facade is adorned with two massive towers, which give the building grandeur. The churchyard is enclosed by a wooden fence, with a small storehouse standing at its north-eastern corner and a cross raised on the eastern side.
Despite all the historical vicissitudes, the Church of St Francis of Assisi in Saldutiškis has remained an important part of the local culture and spiritual life. It is not only a house of religion but also a place where history, architecture and community memory meet.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Saldutiškio Šv. Pranciškaus Asyžiečio bažnyčia. Fotografijos aprašymas ant pasporto: „SALDUTIŠKIS. Medinė bažnyčia.“
Saldutiškio (Utenos r.) Šv. Pranciškaus Asyžiečio parapijos bažnyčia ir Kirdeikių (Utenos r.) Šv. Jono Krikštytojo parapijos bažnyčia. Foto V. Juraičio ir TIC (turizmo informacijos centras). Sudarė Utenos turizmo informacijos centras. Išleista Vilniuje, 2007 m.