About the Church
Here is the history of the Pabaiskas Church of the Holy Trinity.
The small town of Pabaiskas, located near the Vilnius–Panevėžys highway, boasts not only its tranquillity and cosy landscape but also a shrine of special historical significance – the Pabaiskas Church of the Holy Trinity. This Classicist church is a symbol of religious and cultural value for the whole of Ukmergė district.
The history of the church begins in the mid-15th century. In 1436 the Grand Duke of Lithuania Žygimantas Kęstutaitis, wishing to mark the site of the victorious Battle of Pabaiskas, had the first wooden church built and donated land to it. Later, in 1544, Žygimantas Augustas had a new wooden church built. However, over time and due to various misfortunes, the church was rebuilt more than once. From the mid-17th century onwards, rebuilding work continued steadily: in 1664, after one church had grown old, another was built, and in 1762 the church then standing burned down in a fire. Nevertheless, through the efforts of parish priest D. Venckevičius, it was restored as early as 1768.
The present stone-masonry church was built between 1821 and 1836 to the design of the architect J. Levoisier. This Classicist building is notable for its elegance and beauty. The rectangular-plan church has three naves and an ornate turret. Also worth special attention are the stone-masonry gate of the churchyard and the masonry bell tower standing within it, built in 1846.
Interestingly, in the 19th century the inhabitants of Pabaiskas and the surrounding area, influenced by Polonised priests and landowners, became considerably Polonised themselves. It was only from 1919 that singing in Lithuanian began in the church, reviving the Lithuanian spirit. Even before the First World War, in 1911–1914, a branch of the Lithuanian Catholic Temperance Society was active here, encouraging local residents to choose a healthier way of life.
Today the Pabaiskas Church of the Holy Trinity stands like a fortress – a reminder of the hardships and joys of the past, of people's faith and perseverance. It is a place where history, architecture and spiritual heritage intertwine, reminding every visitor of our complex yet beautiful past.
The small town of Pabaiskas, located near the Vilnius–Panevėžys highway, boasts not only its tranquillity and cosy landscape but also a shrine of special historical significance – the Pabaiskas Church of the Holy Trinity. This Classicist church is a symbol of religious and cultural value for the whole of Ukmergė district.
The history of the church begins in the mid-15th century. In 1436 the Grand Duke of Lithuania Žygimantas Kęstutaitis, wishing to mark the site of the victorious Battle of Pabaiskas, had the first wooden church built and donated land to it. Later, in 1544, Žygimantas Augustas had a new wooden church built. However, over time and due to various misfortunes, the church was rebuilt more than once. From the mid-17th century onwards, rebuilding work continued steadily: in 1664, after one church had grown old, another was built, and in 1762 the church then standing burned down in a fire. Nevertheless, through the efforts of parish priest D. Venckevičius, it was restored as early as 1768.
The present stone-masonry church was built between 1821 and 1836 to the design of the architect J. Levoisier. This Classicist building is notable for its elegance and beauty. The rectangular-plan church has three naves and an ornate turret. Also worth special attention are the stone-masonry gate of the churchyard and the masonry bell tower standing within it, built in 1846.
Interestingly, in the 19th century the inhabitants of Pabaiskas and the surrounding area, influenced by Polonised priests and landowners, became considerably Polonised themselves. It was only from 1919 that singing in Lithuanian began in the church, reviving the Lithuanian spirit. Even before the First World War, in 1911–1914, a branch of the Lithuanian Catholic Temperance Society was active here, encouraging local residents to choose a healthier way of life.
Today the Pabaiskas Church of the Holy Trinity stands like a fortress – a reminder of the hardships and joys of the past, of people's faith and perseverance. It is a place where history, architecture and spiritual heritage intertwine, reminding every visitor of our complex yet beautiful past.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Pabaisko Švč. Trejybės bažnyčia. Fotografijos aprašymas ant pasporto: „Pabaiskas. Bažnyčia šv. Trejybės. 1544 m. 1836 m.“
Architektūrinė kompozicija. Pabaisko (Ukmergės r.) klasicistinė, akmenų mūro Švč. Trejybės bažnyčia pastatyta 1836 m. Šventorių juosia akmenų mūro tvora. Vaizde – šventoriaus vartai.
Aprašė Aldona Rudzevičienė