About the Church
Imagine standing in the village of Užunvėžiai, in Anykščiai district, with one of Lithuania's most interesting wooden churches rising before you – the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Užunvėžiai. Built in 1940 to the design of the architect Karolis Reisonas, the church is a fine blend of Rationalist and Historicist styles.
As you walk towards the church, you will see its single tower from afar, watching over the surroundings like a stately onlooker. The whole church stands on a small hill, on the left bank of the Nevėža, and offers a peaceful natural panorama. Right next to the church, at the road junction, is the parish cemetery – a place of rest where the villagers lie.
Construction of the church began in 1937, initiated by Steponas Telksnys, administrator of the parish of St George in Kurkliai. Although the Ukmergė county building commission wanted the church to be built of non-flammable material, the decision was made to build it of wood. The construction work was organised by the farmer Stasys Adamonis, and a considerable contribution was also made by the Banėnas brothers and Uršulė Banėnaitė-Kisielienė, who donated land to the parish.
This wooden church is adorned with elements of geometric precision: the horizontal boards of the facade and the vertical cladding on the tower and pediment surfaces create harmony between folk and Classicist architectural forms. The four-column portico at the main door recalls Classicist sacred buildings, and above it projects a Gothic "rose" – a carved ornamental window.
Inside, the church is no less impressive. The ceiling is flat, the walls are clad with horizontal boards, and the whole space is well lit by large windows placed close together. Special attention is deserved by the cross-shaped window above the high altar and by the altar itself, adorned with small pseudo-Gothic pinnacles.
Catholic youth camps are held in Užunvėžiai, drawing many young people in summer. In addition, two major feasts (atlaidai) take place here – Our Lady, Queen of Peace, on the last Sunday of May, and St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, on 1 October.
So if you ever find yourself in this area, visit the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Užunvėžiai – a place where history, architecture and spirituality intertwine.
As you walk towards the church, you will see its single tower from afar, watching over the surroundings like a stately onlooker. The whole church stands on a small hill, on the left bank of the Nevėža, and offers a peaceful natural panorama. Right next to the church, at the road junction, is the parish cemetery – a place of rest where the villagers lie.
Construction of the church began in 1937, initiated by Steponas Telksnys, administrator of the parish of St George in Kurkliai. Although the Ukmergė county building commission wanted the church to be built of non-flammable material, the decision was made to build it of wood. The construction work was organised by the farmer Stasys Adamonis, and a considerable contribution was also made by the Banėnas brothers and Uršulė Banėnaitė-Kisielienė, who donated land to the parish.
This wooden church is adorned with elements of geometric precision: the horizontal boards of the facade and the vertical cladding on the tower and pediment surfaces create harmony between folk and Classicist architectural forms. The four-column portico at the main door recalls Classicist sacred buildings, and above it projects a Gothic "rose" – a carved ornamental window.
Inside, the church is no less impressive. The ceiling is flat, the walls are clad with horizontal boards, and the whole space is well lit by large windows placed close together. Special attention is deserved by the cross-shaped window above the high altar and by the altar itself, adorned with small pseudo-Gothic pinnacles.
Catholic youth camps are held in Užunvėžiai, drawing many young people in summer. In addition, two major feasts (atlaidai) take place here – Our Lady, Queen of Peace, on the last Sunday of May, and St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, on 1 October.
So if you ever find yourself in this area, visit the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Užunvėžiai – a place where history, architecture and spirituality intertwine.