About the Church
The Church of the Holy Spirit in Kaunas is one of the most interesting and newest gems of religious architecture in Kaunas, located in the Šilainiai microdistrict. Although this church was built relatively recently, its history has already enriched the cultural and spiritual life of the city of Kaunas.
It all began in 1989, when the Catholic religious community of Šilainiai in the city of Kaunas was registered and permission was obtained to build a new church. This was a significant event, since under Soviet rule the building of churches had been severely restricted. Thanks to Monsignor Lionginas Vaičiulionis, parish priest of St Joseph's parish in Vilijampolė, a parish hall was built in which a temporary chapel was set up.
In August 1994 the temporary chapel was blessed by Cardinal Vincentas Sladkevičius and given the title "of the Holy Spirit" along with the rights of a parish church. Monsignor L. Vaičiulionis became the first parish priest of Šilainiai and led this parish from 1995 onward.
The cornerstone of the future church was blessed in 1997, and construction work on the church began in 1998. Alongside the building of the church, a convent and chapel of the Catherine Sisters was opened in 1999 – this further strengthened religious life in the district.
The construction process was long and complicated. After intensive work, the walls were finished in 2006, and in 2007 the roof was covered with tiles. Underfloor heating was installed in 2009, allowing services to be held in more comfortable conditions. In 2012 the parish's Pastoral and Evangelisation Centre was set up, and the church floor was finished with granite.
The improvements to this modern church were not limited to the interior alone. In November 2013 the parish of Blessed John Paul II in Kaunas was established in Šilainiai, with part of the territory served by the Church of the Holy Spirit passed on to the new parish. In addition, in 2017 a modern funeral home was built near the church.
The Church of the Holy Spirit in Kaunas is an active spiritual centre, where various feasts are celebrated: the Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost), the Transfiguration of Christ, and Our Lady of the Rosary. This church has become an important place not only for religious ceremonies but also for community gatherings and cultural events.
It all began in 1989, when the Catholic religious community of Šilainiai in the city of Kaunas was registered and permission was obtained to build a new church. This was a significant event, since under Soviet rule the building of churches had been severely restricted. Thanks to Monsignor Lionginas Vaičiulionis, parish priest of St Joseph's parish in Vilijampolė, a parish hall was built in which a temporary chapel was set up.
In August 1994 the temporary chapel was blessed by Cardinal Vincentas Sladkevičius and given the title "of the Holy Spirit" along with the rights of a parish church. Monsignor L. Vaičiulionis became the first parish priest of Šilainiai and led this parish from 1995 onward.
The cornerstone of the future church was blessed in 1997, and construction work on the church began in 1998. Alongside the building of the church, a convent and chapel of the Catherine Sisters was opened in 1999 – this further strengthened religious life in the district.
The construction process was long and complicated. After intensive work, the walls were finished in 2006, and in 2007 the roof was covered with tiles. Underfloor heating was installed in 2009, allowing services to be held in more comfortable conditions. In 2012 the parish's Pastoral and Evangelisation Centre was set up, and the church floor was finished with granite.
The improvements to this modern church were not limited to the interior alone. In November 2013 the parish of Blessed John Paul II in Kaunas was established in Šilainiai, with part of the territory served by the Church of the Holy Spirit passed on to the new parish. In addition, in 2017 a modern funeral home was built near the church.
The Church of the Holy Spirit in Kaunas is an active spiritual centre, where various feasts are celebrated: the Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost), the Transfiguration of Christ, and Our Lady of the Rosary. This church has become an important place not only for religious ceremonies but also for community gatherings and cultural events.