About the Church
The Church of Our Lady, Queen of the Rosary, in Vepriai is not only a house of prayer but also a unique historical monument, whose walls recall events many centuries old.
This church, situated in the small town of Vepriai, Ukmergė district, stands out for its Gothic Revival architectural features. Built in 1910 to a design by the renowned architect Vladislovas Stipulkovskis, it still charms visitors today with its beauty and grandeur. The church stands on a hill on the northern shore of Lake Vepriai, from which superb views of the surrounding area open up.
The church's history reaches back as far as the 16th century. The first wooden church was built as early as 1553. Later, in 1616, Merkelis Šemeta built a masonry chapel in the cemetery, whose bell has survived to this day. After his death, his widow Barbora provided the church with furnishings, and around 1683 the Milašiūnai farmstead was donated to the Dominicans of Vilnius. Although a monastery was never actually built in Vepriai, the Dominicans looked after the parish for a long time.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries this area underwent many changes. In 1892 the churchyard was enclosed with a stone masonry wall, and in 1909–1910, on the initiative of the parish priest Teofilis Vasiliauskas, and with funds from local residents and the manor administrator Marijonas Vandalinas Pliateris, the present church was built. It was consecrated in 1936 by Bishop Teofilius Matulionis.
The 20th century was a turbulent time for the church. In August 1919 Polish soldiers destroyed the church's archive and took away the parish priest. Another tragedy occurred in 1941, when Red Army soldiers shot the long-serving parish priest Boleslovas Vėgėlė at Skaruliai. During the Second World War the retreating German army blew up the church's bell tower, badly damaging the church and destroying stained glass and bells. After the war, through the efforts of the parish priest Stanislovas Rūša and local residents, the tower was rebuilt, though lower than before.
In 2010, to mark the centenary of the church's construction, a statue of Mary, Queen of the Rosary, was blessed in the churchyard, in the presence of the Archbishop of Kaunas, Sigitas Tamkevičius, and other distinguished figures. The historic bells were also restored and are now displayed in the church.
Architecturally, the church impresses with its Gothic Revival and Neo-Romanesque features. Its massive square façade tower, buttresses and rose window all combine to create an impressive appearance and lend it a spirit of sanctity. Inside there are three aisles and four altars, and the chancel and apses create a distinctive sense of space.
The Church of Our Lady, Queen of the Rosary, in Vepriai is not only a centre of religious worship but also a valuable monument of culture and history, bearing witness to the region's centuries-long history and the people's faith.
This church, situated in the small town of Vepriai, Ukmergė district, stands out for its Gothic Revival architectural features. Built in 1910 to a design by the renowned architect Vladislovas Stipulkovskis, it still charms visitors today with its beauty and grandeur. The church stands on a hill on the northern shore of Lake Vepriai, from which superb views of the surrounding area open up.
The church's history reaches back as far as the 16th century. The first wooden church was built as early as 1553. Later, in 1616, Merkelis Šemeta built a masonry chapel in the cemetery, whose bell has survived to this day. After his death, his widow Barbora provided the church with furnishings, and around 1683 the Milašiūnai farmstead was donated to the Dominicans of Vilnius. Although a monastery was never actually built in Vepriai, the Dominicans looked after the parish for a long time.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries this area underwent many changes. In 1892 the churchyard was enclosed with a stone masonry wall, and in 1909–1910, on the initiative of the parish priest Teofilis Vasiliauskas, and with funds from local residents and the manor administrator Marijonas Vandalinas Pliateris, the present church was built. It was consecrated in 1936 by Bishop Teofilius Matulionis.
The 20th century was a turbulent time for the church. In August 1919 Polish soldiers destroyed the church's archive and took away the parish priest. Another tragedy occurred in 1941, when Red Army soldiers shot the long-serving parish priest Boleslovas Vėgėlė at Skaruliai. During the Second World War the retreating German army blew up the church's bell tower, badly damaging the church and destroying stained glass and bells. After the war, through the efforts of the parish priest Stanislovas Rūša and local residents, the tower was rebuilt, though lower than before.
In 2010, to mark the centenary of the church's construction, a statue of Mary, Queen of the Rosary, was blessed in the churchyard, in the presence of the Archbishop of Kaunas, Sigitas Tamkevičius, and other distinguished figures. The historic bells were also restored and are now displayed in the church.
Architecturally, the church impresses with its Gothic Revival and Neo-Romanesque features. Its massive square façade tower, buttresses and rose window all combine to create an impressive appearance and lend it a spirit of sanctity. Inside there are three aisles and four altars, and the chancel and apses create a distinctive sense of space.
The Church of Our Lady, Queen of the Rosary, in Vepriai is not only a centre of religious worship but also a valuable monument of culture and history, bearing witness to the region's centuries-long history and the people's faith.