About the Church
Panevėžiukas Church of the Crucified Jesus is a special monument of Lithuanian architecture, standing in the village of Panevėžiukas, close to the Žemaičių highway, at the confluence of the Strebukas and Striūna rivers, on the right bank of the Nevėžis valley. This Late Baroque shrine, which also has Classicist features, is distinctive not only for its architecture but also for its rich history.
The church's history begins in 1743, when the castellan of Vitebsk Simonas Sirutis built a masonry church. At first it was a filial church of the Josvainiai parish. Among its most notable priests was Antanas Norvaiša, who in 1863 joined the uprising against tsarist Russia. Unfortunately, his fate after that is unknown.
In the 19th century the then owner of the manor, Koreva, took care of the church's repairs. Part of the walls needed to be rebuilt, and the work was completed by Fr Andrius Mikutavičius. It was perhaps with funds from the Koreva family that a sacristy was added in the 19th century. Later, in 1904, a new crypt was built, serving as a burial place for the church's founders and benefactors. Unfortunately, these burials were destroyed during the Second World War. Nevertheless, memorial plaques can still be found in the church's walls and the churchyard fence, testifying to those who passed into eternity here.
Panevėžiukas Church is notable not only for its long history but also for its unique architectural solution. It is one of only two masonry churches in Lithuania with a triangular plan (the other being the wooden Degučiai St Vincent Ferrer Church). Inside the church, on either side of the entrance doors, two organ-choir galleries can be seen: one in the northern corner, the other in the southern corner. A bell tower also stands in the churchyard, adding further charm to this sacred space.
Throughout the church's existence, various people have been buried here, including notable landowners and members of the nobility. For example, Juzefa Strumilaitė Gucevičienė, Tadeusz Ciszkiewicz, Ignacy Ciszkiewicz, Bogumiła Syrucowa and Onufry Korewa all found their eternal rest in the crypts of this church. Memorial plaques on the churchyard fences also name Tadeusz Korewa, Onufry Korewa and Zofia Korewa, who were buried in the Koreva family grave in the churchyard.
This church is not only religious but also cultural heritage, testifying to the faith, way of life and historical vicissitudes of past generations. By visiting Panevėžiukas Church of the Crucified Jesus, we can feel not only sacred peace but also touch the rich history of Lithuania, preserved within these old masonry walls.
The church's history begins in 1743, when the castellan of Vitebsk Simonas Sirutis built a masonry church. At first it was a filial church of the Josvainiai parish. Among its most notable priests was Antanas Norvaiša, who in 1863 joined the uprising against tsarist Russia. Unfortunately, his fate after that is unknown.
In the 19th century the then owner of the manor, Koreva, took care of the church's repairs. Part of the walls needed to be rebuilt, and the work was completed by Fr Andrius Mikutavičius. It was perhaps with funds from the Koreva family that a sacristy was added in the 19th century. Later, in 1904, a new crypt was built, serving as a burial place for the church's founders and benefactors. Unfortunately, these burials were destroyed during the Second World War. Nevertheless, memorial plaques can still be found in the church's walls and the churchyard fence, testifying to those who passed into eternity here.
Panevėžiukas Church is notable not only for its long history but also for its unique architectural solution. It is one of only two masonry churches in Lithuania with a triangular plan (the other being the wooden Degučiai St Vincent Ferrer Church). Inside the church, on either side of the entrance doors, two organ-choir galleries can be seen: one in the northern corner, the other in the southern corner. A bell tower also stands in the churchyard, adding further charm to this sacred space.
Throughout the church's existence, various people have been buried here, including notable landowners and members of the nobility. For example, Juzefa Strumilaitė Gucevičienė, Tadeusz Ciszkiewicz, Ignacy Ciszkiewicz, Bogumiła Syrucowa and Onufry Korewa all found their eternal rest in the crypts of this church. Memorial plaques on the churchyard fences also name Tadeusz Korewa, Onufry Korewa and Zofia Korewa, who were buried in the Koreva family grave in the churchyard.
This church is not only religious but also cultural heritage, testifying to the faith, way of life and historical vicissitudes of past generations. By visiting Panevėžiukas Church of the Crucified Jesus, we can feel not only sacred peace but also touch the rich history of Lithuania, preserved within these old masonry walls.