About the Church
Let us imagine travelling through the villages and small towns of Lithuania in search of mysterious churches that bear witness to history. One such place is Anciškis – a small village in the Kėdainiai district, where the Church of St Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist stands.
The church at Anciškis has a long and turbulent history. Its forerunner was a chapel first recorded in 1744 at Aukštadvaris, about a kilometre from the present site of Anciškis. At the end of the 18th century the landowners Adomas and Teresė Kasakovskis decided to build a new wooden church, which by 1790 already had donated land and gold coins. However, the fate of these buildings was not a happy one – in 1810 the first church burned down, and later, in 1828, the second church, built of fir logs on the initiative of Pranciškus Kasakovskis, was also destroyed.
Despite all these misfortunes, the community of Anciškis did not lose heart. In 1846 a chapel brought from the Ramygala parish became the basis for a new church. Over the years the building underwent considerable change, especially through the efforts of the priest Ignas Vitkus: a vaulted ceiling and floors were installed, some of the logs were replaced, and the roof was covered with sheet metal. In this way the church gained greater solidity and strength.
Architecturally the church at Anciškis is in the Classicist style. Its rectangular plan, open portico with columns and small tower on the ridge give it a particular charm. The churchyard fence is built of stone, and within it stands a wooden bell tower, which for several centuries has called people to prayer and reflection.
It is not only the church itself but also its surroundings that are full of symbolism. In 1906 a monument was erected in front of the church to the emigrants from the Anciškis parish. It is a fitting mark of respect for all those who left their native village yet remained faithful to their beliefs and traditions.
In 1935 the church was repainted, further brightening and highlighting its beauty. At that time the parish held about 61.2 hectares of land, and in 1938 it acquired a further 10 hectares of forest.
This church, which has now stood for almost two centuries, is not only a place of religious practice but also a living witness to the history of the village of Anciškis, and to the people's perseverance and love for their land. It is a place worth visiting for anyone wishing to feel the spirit of former times and discover the history of a small but significant part of Lithuania.
The church at Anciškis has a long and turbulent history. Its forerunner was a chapel first recorded in 1744 at Aukštadvaris, about a kilometre from the present site of Anciškis. At the end of the 18th century the landowners Adomas and Teresė Kasakovskis decided to build a new wooden church, which by 1790 already had donated land and gold coins. However, the fate of these buildings was not a happy one – in 1810 the first church burned down, and later, in 1828, the second church, built of fir logs on the initiative of Pranciškus Kasakovskis, was also destroyed.
Despite all these misfortunes, the community of Anciškis did not lose heart. In 1846 a chapel brought from the Ramygala parish became the basis for a new church. Over the years the building underwent considerable change, especially through the efforts of the priest Ignas Vitkus: a vaulted ceiling and floors were installed, some of the logs were replaced, and the roof was covered with sheet metal. In this way the church gained greater solidity and strength.
Architecturally the church at Anciškis is in the Classicist style. Its rectangular plan, open portico with columns and small tower on the ridge give it a particular charm. The churchyard fence is built of stone, and within it stands a wooden bell tower, which for several centuries has called people to prayer and reflection.
It is not only the church itself but also its surroundings that are full of symbolism. In 1906 a monument was erected in front of the church to the emigrants from the Anciškis parish. It is a fitting mark of respect for all those who left their native village yet remained faithful to their beliefs and traditions.
In 1935 the church was repainted, further brightening and highlighting its beauty. At that time the parish held about 61.2 hectares of land, and in 1938 it acquired a further 10 hectares of forest.
This church, which has now stood for almost two centuries, is not only a place of religious practice but also a living witness to the history of the village of Anciškis, and to the people's perseverance and love for their land. It is a place worth visiting for anyone wishing to feel the spirit of former times and discover the history of a small but significant part of Lithuania.