About the Church
The Dabužiai Church of the Ascension of the Lord is not only a centre of spiritual life but also a cultural heritage site of Anykščiai district. This church, standing in the village of Dabužiai, about 10 kilometres west of Anykščiai, stands out for its architecture and history.
The first chapel in Dabužiai was built as early as 1800. It was modest, wooden, thatched with straw, but even then became a gathering place for the local community. In 1913 May devotions began to be held here, and in 1915 the bishop instructed the parish priest of Anykščiai to hold services in this chapel at least once a month.
During the years of the First World War (1916–1920), the priest Jonas Baltušis served continuously at the chapel, and he looked after not only spiritual matters but also the building's expansion – a sacristy was added to the chapel. Later, on the initiative of the priest Mykolas Ruseckas, a presbytery and a brickworks were built and a cemetery was established in 1922.
The greatest changes came to the Dabužiai church in 1926–1935, when the priests Ignas Bernotavičius and Bronislovas Masiokas set about building a new masonry church. The construction was led by the technician Antanas Banionis and supervised by the engineer Pranciškus Markūnas. The church was solemnly consecrated in 1940. Liturgical items received from the chapel of the Pienionys manor added to the church's holdings.
The church has Gothic Revival features; it has a single tower and a rectangular plan with three naves. Inside are three altars, fitted by Antanas Leviška. The churchyard is enclosed by a wall, and in it stands an ornamented cross of the National Revival, erected in 1989. Since 2009 the churchyard has displayed a restored monument to Konstantinas Sirvydas, a pioneer of Lithuanian writing, created by the sculptor Jonas Žukas.
One of the most significant figures in the history of the Dabužiai church is the priest Serafinas Žvinys. He served this parish for as long as 27 years (1958–1985) and is buried in the church's churchyard. His memory is still alive in the hearts of parishioners today.
Thus the Dabužiai Church of the Ascension of the Lord, though a small country heart, is rich in its history, architectural solutions, and the people who built and cared for it over many years.
The first chapel in Dabužiai was built as early as 1800. It was modest, wooden, thatched with straw, but even then became a gathering place for the local community. In 1913 May devotions began to be held here, and in 1915 the bishop instructed the parish priest of Anykščiai to hold services in this chapel at least once a month.
During the years of the First World War (1916–1920), the priest Jonas Baltušis served continuously at the chapel, and he looked after not only spiritual matters but also the building's expansion – a sacristy was added to the chapel. Later, on the initiative of the priest Mykolas Ruseckas, a presbytery and a brickworks were built and a cemetery was established in 1922.
The greatest changes came to the Dabužiai church in 1926–1935, when the priests Ignas Bernotavičius and Bronislovas Masiokas set about building a new masonry church. The construction was led by the technician Antanas Banionis and supervised by the engineer Pranciškus Markūnas. The church was solemnly consecrated in 1940. Liturgical items received from the chapel of the Pienionys manor added to the church's holdings.
The church has Gothic Revival features; it has a single tower and a rectangular plan with three naves. Inside are three altars, fitted by Antanas Leviška. The churchyard is enclosed by a wall, and in it stands an ornamented cross of the National Revival, erected in 1989. Since 2009 the churchyard has displayed a restored monument to Konstantinas Sirvydas, a pioneer of Lithuanian writing, created by the sculptor Jonas Žukas.
One of the most significant figures in the history of the Dabužiai church is the priest Serafinas Žvinys. He served this parish for as long as 27 years (1958–1985) and is buried in the church's churchyard. His memory is still alive in the hearts of parishioners today.
Thus the Dabužiai Church of the Ascension of the Lord, though a small country heart, is rich in its history, architectural solutions, and the people who built and cared for it over many years.