About the Church
The church of St Anthony of Padua at Daugailiai is a unique and interesting example of Lithuanian sacred architecture, standing in Utena district, in the small town of Daugailiai. This wooden church, built in 1883, is a fine combination of folk-architecture and Baroque features.
The church's history goes back to the 17th century, when Daugailiai was first mentioned as a filial church of the Dusetos parish. At that time, in 1685, the parish registers began to be kept. In 1744 the place was still a filial church of Dusetos, but already had its own church, which stood on the Daugailiai hillfort. Interestingly, this church was served by a Franciscan friar. Although the church, rebuilt in 1766, burned down that same year after a lightning strike, the community did not give up and built a new church in 1852.
The biggest change came in 1883, when, through the efforts of the Dusetos parish priest Antanas Rumševičius, the church was rebuilt and enlarged. At that time Adomas Kviklys donated timber for the work. It is worth noting that from 1897 to 1935 the parish priest at Daugailiai was Kazimieras Kiršinas, who took particular care over the education of parishioners and looked after seminarians who came from the parish. On his initiative the church was renovated in 1915.
Thanks to Fr Kazimieras Mozūras, a parish was established and the church was painted in 1939, and its interior was repainted in 1940. Unfortunately, when the Second World War began, the church's presbytery was occupied by Soviet destruction-battalion fighters (stribai), and after the war by a feldsher. After that the presbytery building was never returned to the parish.
In 1982, on the initiative of parish priest Petras Baltuška, the church was renovated and repainted once again, thereby ensuring its longevity.
Architecturally the church at Daugailiai has a cross plan, two towers and a five-sided apse. Inside there are three aisles and three altars. The churchyard wall is built of stone masonry, and a wooden bell tower stands in the corner, fitted with an organ by the master craftsman Depeša.
This church also has a special historical significance, as one of the graves holds a handful of earth from the graves at Vladimir prison, where Bishop Mečislovas Reinys, who came from the Daugailiai parish, was killed.
It is a place where history, art and faith intertwine, and where visitors can immerse themselves in the deep cultural heritage of Lithuania.
The church's history goes back to the 17th century, when Daugailiai was first mentioned as a filial church of the Dusetos parish. At that time, in 1685, the parish registers began to be kept. In 1744 the place was still a filial church of Dusetos, but already had its own church, which stood on the Daugailiai hillfort. Interestingly, this church was served by a Franciscan friar. Although the church, rebuilt in 1766, burned down that same year after a lightning strike, the community did not give up and built a new church in 1852.
The biggest change came in 1883, when, through the efforts of the Dusetos parish priest Antanas Rumševičius, the church was rebuilt and enlarged. At that time Adomas Kviklys donated timber for the work. It is worth noting that from 1897 to 1935 the parish priest at Daugailiai was Kazimieras Kiršinas, who took particular care over the education of parishioners and looked after seminarians who came from the parish. On his initiative the church was renovated in 1915.
Thanks to Fr Kazimieras Mozūras, a parish was established and the church was painted in 1939, and its interior was repainted in 1940. Unfortunately, when the Second World War began, the church's presbytery was occupied by Soviet destruction-battalion fighters (stribai), and after the war by a feldsher. After that the presbytery building was never returned to the parish.
In 1982, on the initiative of parish priest Petras Baltuška, the church was renovated and repainted once again, thereby ensuring its longevity.
Architecturally the church at Daugailiai has a cross plan, two towers and a five-sided apse. Inside there are three aisles and three altars. The churchyard wall is built of stone masonry, and a wooden bell tower stands in the corner, fitted with an organ by the master craftsman Depeša.
This church also has a special historical significance, as one of the graves holds a handful of earth from the graves at Vladimir prison, where Bishop Mečislovas Reinys, who came from the Daugailiai parish, was killed.
It is a place where history, art and faith intertwine, and where visitors can immerse themselves in the deep cultural heritage of Lithuania.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Medinė bažnyčia su portiku, dvibokštė, puošta drožiniais, nufotografuota stambiu planu.
Medinė dvibokštė bažnyčia, pridengta medžių lajų, nufotografuota kartu su akmenine šventoriaus tvora.