About the Church
Aleksandravėlė St Francis the Seraphic Church is one of the historic gems of sacred architecture in Lithuania, located in the small village of Aleksandravėlė, near the Obeliai–Zarasai road. This church has an interesting and rich history, well worth knowing for anyone with an interest in Lithuania's heritage.
The church's history begins on 22 October 1789, when the nuncio permitted the founding of a parish and the start of construction. At that time Antazavė also belonged to the parish. The present masonry church, however, was not built until later, in 1782-1796, when Ignotas Morikonis, owner of the Aleksandravėlė manor estate, provided funds for the project. In 1795 the parish was officially established and the first parish priest appointed. The presbytery was at first of masonry, but was later replaced by a wooden structure.
In the second half of the 19th century, for about thirty years, Fr Pranas Savickas was parish priest in Aleksandravėlė; he not only cared for the pastoral needs of his parishioners but also wrote poetry, thereby enriching the local cultural life. Interestingly, during the 1863 uprising, weapons were hidden in the cemetery chapel — showing that the church and its surroundings were an important site of insurgent activity.
The church's architecture is Classicist in style, giving it particular charm and artistic value. It is 30 metres long and 15 metres wide, with a small tower on the ridge of the roof adorning the whole structure. Inside there are three altars, ornate and reflecting the artistic trends of the period. The small churchyard surrounding the church (40x30 metres) is enclosed by a stone-masonry wall, at whose corners stand two masonry bell towers, nine metres high.
Over the course of its existence the church underwent various trials and changes. At the start of 1940 it had 30 hectares of land, which represented significant economic support for the parish. Much later, on 11 September 2007, repair work on the church was completed, during which the renovated facade gave the building new splendour.
Today Aleksandravėlė St Francis the Seraphic Church is not only a house of prayer but also a historic site, bearing witness to the region's past and culture. Every visitor can sense the deep heritage of Lithuania's history and spiritual life.
The church's history begins on 22 October 1789, when the nuncio permitted the founding of a parish and the start of construction. At that time Antazavė also belonged to the parish. The present masonry church, however, was not built until later, in 1782-1796, when Ignotas Morikonis, owner of the Aleksandravėlė manor estate, provided funds for the project. In 1795 the parish was officially established and the first parish priest appointed. The presbytery was at first of masonry, but was later replaced by a wooden structure.
In the second half of the 19th century, for about thirty years, Fr Pranas Savickas was parish priest in Aleksandravėlė; he not only cared for the pastoral needs of his parishioners but also wrote poetry, thereby enriching the local cultural life. Interestingly, during the 1863 uprising, weapons were hidden in the cemetery chapel — showing that the church and its surroundings were an important site of insurgent activity.
The church's architecture is Classicist in style, giving it particular charm and artistic value. It is 30 metres long and 15 metres wide, with a small tower on the ridge of the roof adorning the whole structure. Inside there are three altars, ornate and reflecting the artistic trends of the period. The small churchyard surrounding the church (40x30 metres) is enclosed by a stone-masonry wall, at whose corners stand two masonry bell towers, nine metres high.
Over the course of its existence the church underwent various trials and changes. At the start of 1940 it had 30 hectares of land, which represented significant economic support for the parish. Much later, on 11 September 2007, repair work on the church was completed, during which the renovated facade gave the building new splendour.
Today Aleksandravėlė St Francis the Seraphic Church is not only a house of prayer but also a historic site, bearing witness to the region's past and culture. Every visitor can sense the deep heritage of Lithuania's history and spiritual life.