About the Church
The Church of St Ignatius of Loyola in Želva is a remarkable architectural gem of Ukmergė district, one that seems to stretch across time, reflecting the history of the small town and the spirituality of its people. Standing on the right bank of the Želva stream, this wooden church has stood since 1892, when it was built by Father Antanas Stapulionis together with the local parishioners.
The church's history goes back to the 18th century, when in 1753 the then owners, the Jesuits, built the first church. Unfortunately, only two years later, in 1755, it burned down. Nevertheless, parish life did not stop — the registers show that religious records were already being kept from 1778.
A historically significant moment came in 1881, when fire again destroyed the church. Even so, the parish's faith and determination proved stronger than these misfortunes. The rebuilt church, unfortunately, burned down again in 1887, but in 1892 the present wooden church rose once more from the ashes. The materials from the old church were sold to the Catholics of Žemaitkiemis, and the new church became a symbol not only of spiritual life but also of community unity.
The church has an organ built by the renowned Lithuanian craftsman Jonas Garalevičius, whose sound adds to the atmosphere of the sacred space. It is worth noting that a branch of the Lithuanian Catholic Temperance Society operated here in 1909–1914, and the parish was officially established around 1922.
Community life around the church has always been active. Parish priest Stanislovas Švėgžda repainted the church in 1932, and in 1953–1954 Father Jonas Mintaučkis, with the help of parishioners, renovated it after the hardships of the war.
The church's architecture is unique and resembles a dwelling house with two small towers — one on the facade, the other on the roof of the apse. Inside, the church has three naves separated by columns. In front of the church stands a Classicist stone bell tower with a tall cross, and the churchyard wall is likewise built of stone masonry. The churchyard also contains a cemetery, where the former long-serving parish priest Jonas Tomkus, who served from 1968 until his death in 1989, is laid to rest.
Today the Church of St Ignatius of Loyola in Želva remains an important centre of religious and cultural life for the community, bearing witness to many years of trials and triumphs in the parish's history.
The church's history goes back to the 18th century, when in 1753 the then owners, the Jesuits, built the first church. Unfortunately, only two years later, in 1755, it burned down. Nevertheless, parish life did not stop — the registers show that religious records were already being kept from 1778.
A historically significant moment came in 1881, when fire again destroyed the church. Even so, the parish's faith and determination proved stronger than these misfortunes. The rebuilt church, unfortunately, burned down again in 1887, but in 1892 the present wooden church rose once more from the ashes. The materials from the old church were sold to the Catholics of Žemaitkiemis, and the new church became a symbol not only of spiritual life but also of community unity.
The church has an organ built by the renowned Lithuanian craftsman Jonas Garalevičius, whose sound adds to the atmosphere of the sacred space. It is worth noting that a branch of the Lithuanian Catholic Temperance Society operated here in 1909–1914, and the parish was officially established around 1922.
Community life around the church has always been active. Parish priest Stanislovas Švėgžda repainted the church in 1932, and in 1953–1954 Father Jonas Mintaučkis, with the help of parishioners, renovated it after the hardships of the war.
The church's architecture is unique and resembles a dwelling house with two small towers — one on the facade, the other on the roof of the apse. Inside, the church has three naves separated by columns. In front of the church stands a Classicist stone bell tower with a tall cross, and the churchyard wall is likewise built of stone masonry. The churchyard also contains a cemetery, where the former long-serving parish priest Jonas Tomkus, who served from 1968 until his death in 1989, is laid to rest.
Today the Church of St Ignatius of Loyola in Želva remains an important centre of religious and cultural life for the community, bearing witness to many years of trials and triumphs in the parish's history.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Medinė bažnyčia, stačiakampio plano, dengta dvišlaitės formos stogu su aštuoniasieniu bokštu, užfiksuota iš apatinio rakurso. Galinėje bažnyčios sienoje – arkos formos langai ir durys, apkaltos lentelėmis atvirkščios eglutės motyvu.