About the Church
The Roman Catholic Church of St Monica in Ugāle is in the small town of Ugāle, in the Ventspils area, in north-western Courland. The church, which belongs to the Liepāja Diocese, is dedicated to St Monica – the mother of St Augustine and patroness of Christian families and mothers.
The Catholic community of Ugāle was officially founded in 1998, after religious life was revived following the Soviet era. Construction of the church began in 2004; its foundations were blessed by the Bishop of Liepāja, Vilhelms Lapelis, and the work was financially supported by the German Catholic aid organisation "Bonifatiuswerk". Due to a shortage of funds, the construction later slowed down.
The Modernist church is being built of wooden logs and fits in with the rural setting of Courland. The small community of Ugāle gathers for services several times a month and is a living centre of the local Catholic faith.
The Catholic community of Ugāle was officially founded in 1998, after religious life was revived following the Soviet era. Construction of the church began in 2004; its foundations were blessed by the Bishop of Liepāja, Vilhelms Lapelis, and the work was financially supported by the German Catholic aid organisation "Bonifatiuswerk". Due to a shortage of funds, the construction later slowed down.
The Modernist church is being built of wooden logs and fits in with the rural setting of Courland. The small community of Ugāle gathers for services several times a month and is a living centre of the local Catholic faith.