About the Church
In the small town of Kamajai, beside the Šetekšna river, stands the striking Kamajai St Casimir Church — a fine example of Gothic Revival architecture, whose layers of history tell of the area's religious and cultural change.
The first Kamajai church was built in 1635 on the initiative of the manor owner Adomas Lukianskis-Paulavičius. It was a wooden building, marking the town's religious centre. In time, in 1650, the Duokiškis farmstead and 3000 zlotys were assigned to the church, further increasing its importance. In 1737, however, the church burned down, and four decades later, in 1773, a second wooden church was built on the same site. In this period, in 1774, a parish school was also founded, spreading education among the local people.
1820 brought new changes — the church was rebuilt and lengthened, and the churchyard walled in masonry. This work coincided with the life in Kamajai of the poet-priest Antanas Strazdas, who resided there from 1820 until his death in 1833. His work and activity left a deep mark on the local community.
The end of the 19th century was particularly turbulent. The parish priest Ignas Macevičius was exiled to Orenburg in 1863, and the curate Jonas Juozapaitis was confined to the Kretinga monastery in 1893 for urging people not to pray for the tsar. Nevertheless, in 1896 no permission from the authorities was needed, and the consistory allowed a new church to be built. Construction of the present, third, brick-masonry church began in 1897, to a design by the Riga engineer Florian Wyganowski, and was completed in 1903.
The stained-glass windows inside the church were made by Vladislovas Pšibitnevskis, and were installed around 1908. Besides its religious function, the church's parish priest, J. Jokimas, founded a branch of the "Saulė" society and a library, seeking to promote education and temperance in the local community. In 1934 an organ was installed in the church, giving the liturgy a distinctive musical accompaniment.
Although the church was badly damaged during the Second World War, with its towers pulled down and its stained glass destroyed, it was restored and continued to serve the needs of the faithful. Today the church has three naves, ornate oak altars and impressive piers. Its red-brick facade and mighty piers with ornamented capitals remain a memorable symbol of the region.
Kamajai St Casimir Church is not only an important spiritual centre but also reflects the rich history and culture of the area. Its walls hold countless stories of people's lives, struggles and hopes over the years.
The first Kamajai church was built in 1635 on the initiative of the manor owner Adomas Lukianskis-Paulavičius. It was a wooden building, marking the town's religious centre. In time, in 1650, the Duokiškis farmstead and 3000 zlotys were assigned to the church, further increasing its importance. In 1737, however, the church burned down, and four decades later, in 1773, a second wooden church was built on the same site. In this period, in 1774, a parish school was also founded, spreading education among the local people.
1820 brought new changes — the church was rebuilt and lengthened, and the churchyard walled in masonry. This work coincided with the life in Kamajai of the poet-priest Antanas Strazdas, who resided there from 1820 until his death in 1833. His work and activity left a deep mark on the local community.
The end of the 19th century was particularly turbulent. The parish priest Ignas Macevičius was exiled to Orenburg in 1863, and the curate Jonas Juozapaitis was confined to the Kretinga monastery in 1893 for urging people not to pray for the tsar. Nevertheless, in 1896 no permission from the authorities was needed, and the consistory allowed a new church to be built. Construction of the present, third, brick-masonry church began in 1897, to a design by the Riga engineer Florian Wyganowski, and was completed in 1903.
The stained-glass windows inside the church were made by Vladislovas Pšibitnevskis, and were installed around 1908. Besides its religious function, the church's parish priest, J. Jokimas, founded a branch of the "Saulė" society and a library, seeking to promote education and temperance in the local community. In 1934 an organ was installed in the church, giving the liturgy a distinctive musical accompaniment.
Although the church was badly damaged during the Second World War, with its towers pulled down and its stained glass destroyed, it was restored and continued to serve the needs of the faithful. Today the church has three naves, ornate oak altars and impressive piers. Its red-brick facade and mighty piers with ornamented capitals remain a memorable symbol of the region.
Kamajai St Casimir Church is not only an important spiritual centre but also reflects the rich history and culture of the area. Its walls hold countless stories of people's lives, struggles and hopes over the years.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Fotografuota iš šiaurės rytų pusės. Fotografija aprėminta plonu, baltos spalvos rėmeliu. Nugarinėje pusėje yra įrašas pieštuku mėlynu rašalu
