About the Church
The Roman Catholic Church of St Laurence in Vecpils is one of the oldest and most valuable Catholic churches in Courland, standing in the centre of the village of Vecpils, in the South Courland region. The church is dedicated to St Laurence (Laurencijus) and is a state-protected architectural monument.
The first masonry church on this site was built in 1644, but it was later destroyed and rebuilt in 1700 through the efforts of Otas Ernestas de Rapė, owner of the Vecpils manor. The massive single-tower church is about 23 metres long; four bells hang in its tower, cast as early as the second half of the 17th century.
Of particular value is the Baroque interior – the altar, the pulpit, the pedestal of the baptismal font and the organ cases, created by masters of the renowned Stelmužė school of wood carving. These works of art are considered a unique heritage of sacred art in Courland.
The Vecpils church has preserved its historic spirit to this day and is both a house of prayer and a living witness to the region's past, recalling the long-standing Catholic tradition in this part of Courland.
The first masonry church on this site was built in 1644, but it was later destroyed and rebuilt in 1700 through the efforts of Otas Ernestas de Rapė, owner of the Vecpils manor. The massive single-tower church is about 23 metres long; four bells hang in its tower, cast as early as the second half of the 17th century.
Of particular value is the Baroque interior – the altar, the pulpit, the pedestal of the baptismal font and the organ cases, created by masters of the renowned Stelmužė school of wood carving. These works of art are considered a unique heritage of sacred art in Courland.
The Vecpils church has preserved its historic spirit to this day and is both a house of prayer and a living witness to the region's past, recalling the long-standing Catholic tradition in this part of Courland.