About the Church
The Church of Divine Providence in Labūnava is a distinctive monument of architecture and history, situated in Kėdainiai district, in Labūnava, next to the Nevėžis river. It is surrounded by an old cemetery, and the building has an interesting and rich history.
The first church on this site was built in 1799 at the initiative of the landowner Ignotas Zabiela. Unfortunately, this small wooden church burned down in 1812, but it was soon rebuilt by Anupras Zabiela. The present masonry church rose in the cemetery in 1859, designed in the Classicist style and intended for the Zabiela family as a memorial chapel.
At the end of the Second World War, in 1944, the original church burned down again, but the cemetery chapel survived undamaged. It was converted into the present church in 1945 and has served the faithful ever since. The wooden bell tower that stood nearby was moved to the corner of the cemetery, where it still stands today.
Architecturally, the church stands out for its late Classicist features. Its circular plan, rectangular apse and narthex lend it elegance and grandeur. The dome covering the nave is about 10 metres in diameter and is crowned with a metal cross. The volume of the building consists of a central rotunda section and symmetrical porch and chancel extensions. After the war, a sacristy added next to the chancel completed the existing structure.
The church's interior is likewise unique. It has three altars – the high altar and two side altars – stained-glass windows installed in 1984, and an organ loft. Six crypts holding the remains of the Zabiela family are kept in the burial vault. Two sculptures stand by the main entrance: of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, moved here from the destroyed church.
Next to the church, at the initiative of parish priest Steponas Pilka, two prominent sculptures were erected: of Vytautas the Great (1987) and St Casimir (1988). These sculptures further highlight the historical importance and cultural heritage of the site.
The Church of Divine Providence in Labūnava is not only a religious symbol but also an architectural and historical one, recalling many eras and bearing witness to the faith and endurance of the local community through the centuries.
The first church on this site was built in 1799 at the initiative of the landowner Ignotas Zabiela. Unfortunately, this small wooden church burned down in 1812, but it was soon rebuilt by Anupras Zabiela. The present masonry church rose in the cemetery in 1859, designed in the Classicist style and intended for the Zabiela family as a memorial chapel.
At the end of the Second World War, in 1944, the original church burned down again, but the cemetery chapel survived undamaged. It was converted into the present church in 1945 and has served the faithful ever since. The wooden bell tower that stood nearby was moved to the corner of the cemetery, where it still stands today.
Architecturally, the church stands out for its late Classicist features. Its circular plan, rectangular apse and narthex lend it elegance and grandeur. The dome covering the nave is about 10 metres in diameter and is crowned with a metal cross. The volume of the building consists of a central rotunda section and symmetrical porch and chancel extensions. After the war, a sacristy added next to the chancel completed the existing structure.
The church's interior is likewise unique. It has three altars – the high altar and two side altars – stained-glass windows installed in 1984, and an organ loft. Six crypts holding the remains of the Zabiela family are kept in the burial vault. Two sculptures stand by the main entrance: of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, moved here from the destroyed church.
Next to the church, at the initiative of parish priest Steponas Pilka, two prominent sculptures were erected: of Vytautas the Great (1987) and St Casimir (1988). These sculptures further highlight the historical importance and cultural heritage of the site.
The Church of Divine Providence in Labūnava is not only a religious symbol but also an architectural and historical one, recalling many eras and bearing witness to the faith and endurance of the local community through the centuries.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Bažnyčios, statytos 1959 m., bendras vaizdas iš toliau.
Medinė bažnyčia, dengta dvišlaitės formos stogu su daugiakampiu bokštu, nufotografuota iš galinio fasado pusės. Sakralinio pastato sienos apkaltos horizontaliomis lentomis. Dvivėrės įėjimo durys puoštos rombo motyvo lentelių apkalu, virš jų – smailiosios arkos formos langas. Skydo kraštas pjaustytas drožiniu, centre – tapyta Dievo apvaizdos akis.