About the Church
The Church of the Crucified Jesus at Juodaičiai is one of those places where history, architecture and the strength of faith come together. The church stands in the village of Juodaičiai, beside the Girkalnis–Seredžius road, and forms a significant part of the Diocese of Kaunas, belonging to Jurbarkas Deanery.
The church's history begins as early as 1614, when Juodaičiai was granted to the presbytery of Ariogala. Later, in 1780, a wooden chapel was built here, and in 1862 the first larger church was built there, a filial church of the Ariogala parish. Father Antanas Viršila, the priest at the time of its construction, was exiled to Siberia for his activities during the 1863 uprising. Before the First World War this church had already become a centre of spiritual and cultural life – a church choir was formed there and the cemetery was enclosed with a brick wall.
But the First World War did not spare this holy place either – the church burned down, and worship temporarily moved to the presbytery. Only after the war, in 1917, was a temporary wooden-boarded church built, and around 1930 the parish was established. On the initiative of Father Jonas Juodviršis, the present masonry church was built in 1931 and was consecrated in 1934 by the famous Bishop Teofilius Matulionis. The church was restored once again in 1944, and since then it has become known for its special feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which draws large numbers of the faithful.
Architecturally the church is an impressive Neoclassical building with a cruciform plan, a massive facade tower and a smaller turret above the crossing. The churchyard fence is low and built of masonry, and a wooden bell tower stands within it. Beside the church is also the grave of parish priest Pijus Žiugžda; he served here for 15 years, from 1909 to 1989.
The church's interior is no less impressive. Here one can find an organ installed by an unknown craftsman, which gives the church a special acoustic beauty. All this creates an extraordinary atmosphere, both for everyday services and for great feasts.
The church at Juodaičiai is not only a spiritual centre but also a cultural heritage site, reflecting the history of Lithuania and the faith and determination of its people. Every visit here is an opportunity to feel the spirit of the past, admire its architectural beauty and draw on its peace.
The church's history begins as early as 1614, when Juodaičiai was granted to the presbytery of Ariogala. Later, in 1780, a wooden chapel was built here, and in 1862 the first larger church was built there, a filial church of the Ariogala parish. Father Antanas Viršila, the priest at the time of its construction, was exiled to Siberia for his activities during the 1863 uprising. Before the First World War this church had already become a centre of spiritual and cultural life – a church choir was formed there and the cemetery was enclosed with a brick wall.
But the First World War did not spare this holy place either – the church burned down, and worship temporarily moved to the presbytery. Only after the war, in 1917, was a temporary wooden-boarded church built, and around 1930 the parish was established. On the initiative of Father Jonas Juodviršis, the present masonry church was built in 1931 and was consecrated in 1934 by the famous Bishop Teofilius Matulionis. The church was restored once again in 1944, and since then it has become known for its special feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which draws large numbers of the faithful.
Architecturally the church is an impressive Neoclassical building with a cruciform plan, a massive facade tower and a smaller turret above the crossing. The churchyard fence is low and built of masonry, and a wooden bell tower stands within it. Beside the church is also the grave of parish priest Pijus Žiugžda; he served here for 15 years, from 1909 to 1989.
The church's interior is no less impressive. Here one can find an organ installed by an unknown craftsman, which gives the church a special acoustic beauty. All this creates an extraordinary atmosphere, both for everyday services and for great feasts.
The church at Juodaičiai is not only a spiritual centre but also a cultural heritage site, reflecting the history of Lithuania and the faith and determination of its people. Every visit here is an opportunity to feel the spirit of the past, admire its architectural beauty and draw on its peace.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
1862 m. Juodaičiuose pastatyta medinė bažnyčia sudegė per Pirmąjį pasaulinį karą. Dabartinė mūrinė Nukryžiuotojo Jėzaus bažnyčia pastatyta 1931 m. Šventoriuje išliko XIX a. pastatyta medinė šešiakampio plano varpinė. Arūno Paslaičio piešinyje ji dar autentiška, malksnomis dengtais stogeliais. Vėliau ne kartą remontuotas pastatas prarado anuometinę išvaizdą: dabar jis dengtas metalo skarda.