About the Church
Paštuva St Barbara's Church is truly a special place with a deep historical and spiritual heritage. Located in the village of Tolivardžiai, near the settlement of Paštuva, this church stands on the right bank of the Nemunas, just five kilometres south of Vilkija. Around the church you will find the Paštuva cemetery with its chapel, and, nearby, the Discalced Carmelite convent.
History records that from 1643 to 1842 Paštuva belonged to the Benedictine nuns of Kaunas, and it was most likely then that the first chapel was built. As early as 1754 a parish feast was proclaimed for it. Later, in 1923, a wooden church was built, which became the centre of the local community's religious life. After the Second World War Fr Juozas Vailokaitis served here; he later became a Siberian deportee and was buried near the Paštuva cemetery.
Unfortunately, on 9 May 2012 a fire devastated the old church, leaving only ashes and memories. But the local community did not give up and decided to rebuild its house of prayer. Parishioners actively raised funds and helped to clear the fire site, even despite the dwindling number of the faithful. After consultations with the residents of Paštuva, the final decision on the construction of a new church was made by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kaunas, Sigitas Tamkevičius.
The design for the new church was created by the architect Nerijus Radišauskas. The building was planned as a modern, ten-sided, honeycomb-shaped structure with windows reaching down to the ground. Construction began in 2013, and the parishioners continually raised funds and provided materials. By September 2014 the frame of the future masonry-and-concrete church was already visible, and in September 2015 the new church was blessed.
Interestingly, a heart-shaped stone was found beneath the foundations of the burnt-down old church and was reworked into a stylised stone basin. This basin is now used for baptism and stands in the new shrine, recalling the history and trials of the old church.
Paštuva St Barbara's Church is not only a work of architecture but also a symbol testifying to the resolve and strength of the local community. It is a place where past and present intertwine, where people find peace and spiritual comfort.
History records that from 1643 to 1842 Paštuva belonged to the Benedictine nuns of Kaunas, and it was most likely then that the first chapel was built. As early as 1754 a parish feast was proclaimed for it. Later, in 1923, a wooden church was built, which became the centre of the local community's religious life. After the Second World War Fr Juozas Vailokaitis served here; he later became a Siberian deportee and was buried near the Paštuva cemetery.
Unfortunately, on 9 May 2012 a fire devastated the old church, leaving only ashes and memories. But the local community did not give up and decided to rebuild its house of prayer. Parishioners actively raised funds and helped to clear the fire site, even despite the dwindling number of the faithful. After consultations with the residents of Paštuva, the final decision on the construction of a new church was made by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kaunas, Sigitas Tamkevičius.
The design for the new church was created by the architect Nerijus Radišauskas. The building was planned as a modern, ten-sided, honeycomb-shaped structure with windows reaching down to the ground. Construction began in 2013, and the parishioners continually raised funds and provided materials. By September 2014 the frame of the future masonry-and-concrete church was already visible, and in September 2015 the new church was blessed.
Interestingly, a heart-shaped stone was found beneath the foundations of the burnt-down old church and was reworked into a stylised stone basin. This basin is now used for baptism and stands in the new shrine, recalling the history and trials of the old church.
Paštuva St Barbara's Church is not only a work of architecture but also a symbol testifying to the resolve and strength of the local community. It is a place where past and present intertwine, where people find peace and spiritual comfort.