About the Church
Duokiškis St Anne Church is one of those small Lithuanian churches that charm with their simplicity and their wealth of history. Situated in the small town of Duokiškis, it stands like an oasis of peace, where the shadows of the past and the light of today merge into one harmonious picture.
The church's history begins as early as 1650, when the Duokiškis farmstead was donated to the Kamajai church. The first wooden house of prayer appeared here in 1796, as a chapel. The true church that we see today, however, was built in 1906, on the initiative of Fr Kazimieras Mačionis. Having arrived in Duokiškis in 1904, he not only completed the construction of the presbytery but also organised the building of the new church. The old chapel was demolished, and its altar and other fittings were moved into the new building.
During the First World War the church suffered great losses — three bells were taken away to Russia. After the war the parishioners acquired two new bells, which still ring today, calling the faithful to prayer. In 1923 a branch of the Pavasaris ("Spring") youth movement was founded in the parish, contributing to the vitality and strengthening of community life. Thanks to Fr Kazys Turla, the church was covered with sheet metal in 1938, protecting it from the elements.
One of the longer-serving parish priests here was Lionginas Neniškis, who worked here from 1952 until his death in 1990. Through his care and dedication he became an important figure in the life of the parish, and his remains rest in the church's churchyard.
Architecturally, the church has folk-architecture forms, is wooden and of cruciform plan. Beside it stands a wooden bell tower, and the churchyard, enclosed by a stone-masonry wall and containing an old cemetery, gives the place a particular warmth and sanctity.
Duokiškis St Anne Church not only represents the religious history of the area but is also a place where the community gathers to pray and share its joys and cares. It is a place where one can feel the passage of time, the calm of nature and the strength of people's faith.
The church's history begins as early as 1650, when the Duokiškis farmstead was donated to the Kamajai church. The first wooden house of prayer appeared here in 1796, as a chapel. The true church that we see today, however, was built in 1906, on the initiative of Fr Kazimieras Mačionis. Having arrived in Duokiškis in 1904, he not only completed the construction of the presbytery but also organised the building of the new church. The old chapel was demolished, and its altar and other fittings were moved into the new building.
During the First World War the church suffered great losses — three bells were taken away to Russia. After the war the parishioners acquired two new bells, which still ring today, calling the faithful to prayer. In 1923 a branch of the Pavasaris ("Spring") youth movement was founded in the parish, contributing to the vitality and strengthening of community life. Thanks to Fr Kazys Turla, the church was covered with sheet metal in 1938, protecting it from the elements.
One of the longer-serving parish priests here was Lionginas Neniškis, who worked here from 1952 until his death in 1990. Through his care and dedication he became an important figure in the life of the parish, and his remains rest in the church's churchyard.
Architecturally, the church has folk-architecture forms, is wooden and of cruciform plan. Beside it stands a wooden bell tower, and the churchyard, enclosed by a stone-masonry wall and containing an old cemetery, gives the place a particular warmth and sanctity.
Duokiškis St Anne Church not only represents the religious history of the area but is also a place where the community gathers to pray and share its joys and cares. It is a place where one can feel the passage of time, the calm of nature and the strength of people's faith.