About the Church
The church of the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Biliakiemis is a unique sacred building, standing in the village of Biliakiemis, just a few kilometres south-east of Utena. This wooden church, built in 1940, reflects in its architecture and history not only the religious but also the cultural heritage of the region.
The story of the church's founding begins as far back as 1937, when the Curia's council for the administration of church property permitted a chapel to be built in the village of Biliakiemis. The settlement, which belonged to the Kuktiškės manor, was far from the nearest church, so this decision was highly significant for the local residents. The design was prepared by the Zarasai county engineer Pranas Indriūnas, and the construction work was carried out by the local craftsman Jonas Grinius with his assistants. The church was consecrated on 11 August 1940.
A great contribution to the building of the church was made not only by Fr Jonas Asminavičius but also by the residents themselves. The wealthiest families of the village donated substantial sums of money, among them Teofilė Norkūnaitė and Adelė Jasudytė, each of whom contributed 4,000 litas. In total, more than 12,000 litas were spent on the construction – a large sum at the time.
Architecturally, the church at Biliakiemis is a fine example of Lithuanian Modernism of the 1930s. Although traditional in form, the building is marked by clear geometric outlines and Modernist details. Inside, the church has a basilica plan with three aisles, the central one higher than the side ones. The rhythm of the windows in the church's walls and the unconventional window surrounds on the front facade give the building a particular charm.
An interesting fact is that the church never had an organ – a harmonium is used instead. The church's first parish priest was Fr J. Asminavičius himself, and it was later served by Petras Markevičius, a man of artistic inclination: he was not only a priest but also a painter and poet.
The church of the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Biliakiemis is today not only a house of prayer but also a historic site, bearing witness to the spirit, dedication and creativity of the local community.
The story of the church's founding begins as far back as 1937, when the Curia's council for the administration of church property permitted a chapel to be built in the village of Biliakiemis. The settlement, which belonged to the Kuktiškės manor, was far from the nearest church, so this decision was highly significant for the local residents. The design was prepared by the Zarasai county engineer Pranas Indriūnas, and the construction work was carried out by the local craftsman Jonas Grinius with his assistants. The church was consecrated on 11 August 1940.
A great contribution to the building of the church was made not only by Fr Jonas Asminavičius but also by the residents themselves. The wealthiest families of the village donated substantial sums of money, among them Teofilė Norkūnaitė and Adelė Jasudytė, each of whom contributed 4,000 litas. In total, more than 12,000 litas were spent on the construction – a large sum at the time.
Architecturally, the church at Biliakiemis is a fine example of Lithuanian Modernism of the 1930s. Although traditional in form, the building is marked by clear geometric outlines and Modernist details. Inside, the church has a basilica plan with three aisles, the central one higher than the side ones. The rhythm of the windows in the church's walls and the unconventional window surrounds on the front facade give the building a particular charm.
An interesting fact is that the church never had an organ – a harmonium is used instead. The church's first parish priest was Fr J. Asminavičius himself, and it was later served by Petras Markevičius, a man of artistic inclination: he was not only a priest but also a painter and poet.
The church of the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Biliakiemis is today not only a house of prayer but also a historic site, bearing witness to the spirit, dedication and creativity of the local community.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Biliakiemio Švč. Mergelės Marijos Vardo bažnyčia.
Signuotas akvarele averso apatinėje dalyje kairėje, pieštuku reverso viršutinėje dalyje kairėje.