About the Church
The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at Aviliai is not only a sacred building but also a living part of history, carrying its stories through the centuries. Standing in the village of Aviliai, only a dozen or so kilometres from Zarasai, this wooden church is a remarkable example of vernacular architecture.
The church's history began as early as 1712, when Prince Giedraitis built the first chapel in the Aviliai cemetery. The chapel that stood on the site of the present church was, however, rebuilt several times. In 1812–1818 Gertrūda Kaminskienė built a new chapel, which Vincentas Belikovičius renovated, asking the Bishop of Vilnius for permission to hold services there. Later, in 1875, the priest L. Misevičius, with the support of the Kruvičiai family, rebuilt the chapel into a church, adding sacristies and lengthening the building.
The architectural design reflects elements of both Baroque and vernacular architecture. The rectangular-plan building has a gabled roof topped by an openwork iron cross, and stands out for its modest yet charming facade. Inside, the church has three aisles separated by wooden columns, which give the space a particular warmth and cosiness. Its interior is not only a place of prayer but also a work of art, adorned with restored paintings and an organ, which were put in order through the efforts of parish priest Alfonsas Kadžius.
The churchyard, enclosed by a stone masonry wall with a three-arched gate, invites visitors in via steps of hewn stone. A wooden bell tower also stands here – another important witness to the church's architecture and history. The bell, donated by the Trapnauskas parishioner family in 1930, still calls the faithful to services.
The church's history has had no shortage of dramatic events. In 1949 its administrator, Izidorius Puriuškis, was deported to Karaganda, but after returning to Lithuania in 1956 he continued his mission. In 1974 Alfonsas Kadžius was appointed parish priest; he not only saw to the church's repair but also collected folklore and studied local history, thereby contributing to the preservation of the community's cultural heritage.
The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at Aviliai is more than simply a house of prayer. It is a place where historical, cultural and architectural layers intertwine, where every corner tells its own unique story. Anyone who visits this church can sense the spirit of the past and understand what an important role it has played, and continues to play, in the local community.
The church's history began as early as 1712, when Prince Giedraitis built the first chapel in the Aviliai cemetery. The chapel that stood on the site of the present church was, however, rebuilt several times. In 1812–1818 Gertrūda Kaminskienė built a new chapel, which Vincentas Belikovičius renovated, asking the Bishop of Vilnius for permission to hold services there. Later, in 1875, the priest L. Misevičius, with the support of the Kruvičiai family, rebuilt the chapel into a church, adding sacristies and lengthening the building.
The architectural design reflects elements of both Baroque and vernacular architecture. The rectangular-plan building has a gabled roof topped by an openwork iron cross, and stands out for its modest yet charming facade. Inside, the church has three aisles separated by wooden columns, which give the space a particular warmth and cosiness. Its interior is not only a place of prayer but also a work of art, adorned with restored paintings and an organ, which were put in order through the efforts of parish priest Alfonsas Kadžius.
The churchyard, enclosed by a stone masonry wall with a three-arched gate, invites visitors in via steps of hewn stone. A wooden bell tower also stands here – another important witness to the church's architecture and history. The bell, donated by the Trapnauskas parishioner family in 1930, still calls the faithful to services.
The church's history has had no shortage of dramatic events. In 1949 its administrator, Izidorius Puriuškis, was deported to Karaganda, but after returning to Lithuania in 1956 he continued his mission. In 1974 Alfonsas Kadžius was appointed parish priest; he not only saw to the church's repair but also collected folklore and studied local history, thereby contributing to the preservation of the community's cultural heritage.
The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at Aviliai is more than simply a house of prayer. It is a place where historical, cultural and architectural layers intertwine, where every corner tells its own unique story. Anyone who visits this church can sense the spirit of the past and understand what an important role it has played, and continues to play, in the local community.