About the Church
The Church of the Holy Trinity in Skudutiškis is an impressive church with a rich history, located in Molėtai district, in the village of Skudutiškis. This wooden church, built in 1939, is not only a religiously significant building but also a piece of cultural heritage whose history goes back more than three centuries.
The first chapel in Skudutiškis was built as early as 1724, but over time it lost its soundness, and in the 1782 visitation records it was described as rotten. Nevertheless, the local community did not give up, and in 1859 the priest Juozapas Poviliauskas, together with the parishioners, rebuilt and enlarged the old church. Unfortunately, from 1882 to 1914 there was no resident priest in Skudutiškis, and the church became a filial church of the Molėtai parish.
The situation changed as the First World War came to an end. The priest Julijonas Svirskis, appointed in 1915, not only built a presbytery but also founded a Lithuanian school. A separate parish was established in 1922, which strengthened the local community and its religious life.
In 1927, on the initiative of the parish priest Stanislovas Čelkus, construction of a new wooden church began, and it was completed in 1939. The church has a Latin-cross plan and is notable for its facade of complex composition and its tall tower. One of the most special interior details is the painting of Our Lady of Sorrows, considered miraculous by the faithful.
Despite the hardships of the Soviet regime, when the parish priest Stanislovas Čelkus was arrested and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, the church remained an important religious centre. After the priest's return to Lithuania in 1956, the parish once again became active.
The churchyard is enclosed by a stone-masonry wall, next to which stand a wooden bell tower and a cross, authentically completing the church ensemble. Memorial plaques dedicated to the victims of the Soviet regime can be found on the grounds. All this gives the church not only religious but also historical significance.
Today the Church of the Holy Trinity in Skudutiškis continues to attract believers and tourists, bearing witness to the determination of the local community and the strength of its faith.
The first chapel in Skudutiškis was built as early as 1724, but over time it lost its soundness, and in the 1782 visitation records it was described as rotten. Nevertheless, the local community did not give up, and in 1859 the priest Juozapas Poviliauskas, together with the parishioners, rebuilt and enlarged the old church. Unfortunately, from 1882 to 1914 there was no resident priest in Skudutiškis, and the church became a filial church of the Molėtai parish.
The situation changed as the First World War came to an end. The priest Julijonas Svirskis, appointed in 1915, not only built a presbytery but also founded a Lithuanian school. A separate parish was established in 1922, which strengthened the local community and its religious life.
In 1927, on the initiative of the parish priest Stanislovas Čelkus, construction of a new wooden church began, and it was completed in 1939. The church has a Latin-cross plan and is notable for its facade of complex composition and its tall tower. One of the most special interior details is the painting of Our Lady of Sorrows, considered miraculous by the faithful.
Despite the hardships of the Soviet regime, when the parish priest Stanislovas Čelkus was arrested and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, the church remained an important religious centre. After the priest's return to Lithuania in 1956, the parish once again became active.
The churchyard is enclosed by a stone-masonry wall, next to which stand a wooden bell tower and a cross, authentically completing the church ensemble. Memorial plaques dedicated to the victims of the Soviet regime can be found on the grounds. All this gives the church not only religious but also historical significance.
Today the Church of the Holy Trinity in Skudutiškis continues to attract believers and tourists, bearing witness to the determination of the local community and the strength of its faith.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Medinė bažnyčia su keturių kolonų portiku, dengta dvišlaičiu stogu su dviem bokšteliais stogo briaunų galuose, nufotografuota trijų ketvirčių rakursu. Galiniame fasade įrengtos įėjimo durys, apkaltos rombo motyvo apkalimu. Virš durų – balkonėlis su išėjimo durimis. Prie galinio įėjimo stovi dvasininkas, prie šoninio – bažnyčios patarnautoja.