About the Church
Žemaitkiemis's Church of St Casimir is a remarkable architectural and historical monument, standing in the small town of Žemaitkiemis, in Ukmergė district. Built in 1902, the church became an important community centre and a place where faith, culture and history intertwine.
The church building is notable for its Neo-Baroque style. This style is characteristic of the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries and is marked by ornate forms, elegant towers and detailed ornamentation. The church in Žemaitkiemis is no exception – its massive facade tower and vaulted three-nave interior reflect this grand style. Next to the church there is also a stone-masonry fence, which marks the boundaries of the churchyard and adds further authenticity to the site.
The history of the church in Žemaitkiemis goes back as far as the 16th century. Around 1582 the Žemaitkiemis manor was donated to the Jesuit College of Vilnius, and just a few years later, in 1586, the Jesuits built the first church. It then also received the village of Semeniškis as a gift, although this was later exchanged for Žemaitkiemis itself. A new church was built in 1716, and from 1777 a parish school began operating there.
However, at the end of the 19th century disaster struck the small town – a fire in 1892 destroyed the church. After this tragedy, rumours spread that an Orthodox church would be built on the site of the burnt one. Disregarding the authorities' demands to stop construction, the parishioners hastily bought the church at Želva and rebuilt it on the site of the burnt one. For this, the parish priest M. Gulbinas and several workers were sent into exile.
Although the design for a new masonry church was ready in 1892, permission to build it from the authorities was not obtained for a long time. But the priest Antanas Jucevičius did not give up – through his efforts, despite various obstacles, the present church was built between 1899 and 1902.
Today Žemaitkiemis's Church of St Casimir is listed in the Register of Cultural Property, which preserves the most important sites of Lithuanian culture and history. The church not only represents religious architecture and the Neo-Baroque style but also tells of the local people's determination, faith and love for their land.
The church building is notable for its Neo-Baroque style. This style is characteristic of the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries and is marked by ornate forms, elegant towers and detailed ornamentation. The church in Žemaitkiemis is no exception – its massive facade tower and vaulted three-nave interior reflect this grand style. Next to the church there is also a stone-masonry fence, which marks the boundaries of the churchyard and adds further authenticity to the site.
The history of the church in Žemaitkiemis goes back as far as the 16th century. Around 1582 the Žemaitkiemis manor was donated to the Jesuit College of Vilnius, and just a few years later, in 1586, the Jesuits built the first church. It then also received the village of Semeniškis as a gift, although this was later exchanged for Žemaitkiemis itself. A new church was built in 1716, and from 1777 a parish school began operating there.
However, at the end of the 19th century disaster struck the small town – a fire in 1892 destroyed the church. After this tragedy, rumours spread that an Orthodox church would be built on the site of the burnt one. Disregarding the authorities' demands to stop construction, the parishioners hastily bought the church at Želva and rebuilt it on the site of the burnt one. For this, the parish priest M. Gulbinas and several workers were sent into exile.
Although the design for a new masonry church was ready in 1892, permission to build it from the authorities was not obtained for a long time. But the priest Antanas Jucevičius did not give up – through his efforts, despite various obstacles, the present church was built between 1899 and 1902.
Today Žemaitkiemis's Church of St Casimir is listed in the Register of Cultural Property, which preserves the most important sites of Lithuanian culture and history. The church not only represents religious architecture and the Neo-Baroque style but also tells of the local people's determination, faith and love for their land.