About the Church
Kazliškis Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a special place where history, architecture and spirituality intertwine. Let us look, then, into the history of this remarkable church.
In the village of Kazliškis, near Pandėlys, on the left bank of the Nemunėlis, stands the wooden Kazliškis Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was raised in 1910 and immediately draws attention with its folk-architecture forms. Its history, however, began much earlier.
The Kazliškis chapel is first recorded as early as 1796, but it fell into ruin in the second half of the 19th century. In 1901 the local people petitioned the consistory for permission to build a new chapel, but permission was not granted, because the Žiobiškis church had to be built first. The situation changed when the owner of the Kazliškis manor, A. Brazauskienė, obtained permission from the Russian Ministry of the Interior and donated a plot of land for the chapel to be built on.
At the end of 1910 a new wooden chapel was built, and already in 1911 it became a church, since a resident priest began serving here. An organ was installed, which, sadly, was damaged during the First World War along with the bell tower. Fr Stanislovas Stakelė managed to save the church itself from further destruction. After the war the parish priest Matas Nakas carried out repairs, covering the roof with sheet metal and fencing the churchyard.
The church took on its present appearance only after many years. Juozapas Matulevičius, parish priest in 1932–1937, built a new presbytery and restored the outbuildings. The parish priest Jonas Lapinskas, appointed in 1937, repainted the church's interior and built confessionals. Sadly, the Second World War brought no peace — during it some of the church vestments were lost.
Kazliškis Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is notable for its cruciform-plan architecture, its folk features and its particular harmony with its surroundings. The two-tier roof is adorned with two small turrets, and the churchyard is enclosed by an openwork iron fence standing on a concrete base. Next to the church one can also see a wooden bell tower, which adds to the overall authentic character of the ensemble.
The Kazliškis church is not only a house of prayer but also a living witness to history, recalling many important events and people. Over the years this place has become a source of spiritual strength for the local people and their guests.
In the village of Kazliškis, near Pandėlys, on the left bank of the Nemunėlis, stands the wooden Kazliškis Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was raised in 1910 and immediately draws attention with its folk-architecture forms. Its history, however, began much earlier.
The Kazliškis chapel is first recorded as early as 1796, but it fell into ruin in the second half of the 19th century. In 1901 the local people petitioned the consistory for permission to build a new chapel, but permission was not granted, because the Žiobiškis church had to be built first. The situation changed when the owner of the Kazliškis manor, A. Brazauskienė, obtained permission from the Russian Ministry of the Interior and donated a plot of land for the chapel to be built on.
At the end of 1910 a new wooden chapel was built, and already in 1911 it became a church, since a resident priest began serving here. An organ was installed, which, sadly, was damaged during the First World War along with the bell tower. Fr Stanislovas Stakelė managed to save the church itself from further destruction. After the war the parish priest Matas Nakas carried out repairs, covering the roof with sheet metal and fencing the churchyard.
The church took on its present appearance only after many years. Juozapas Matulevičius, parish priest in 1932–1937, built a new presbytery and restored the outbuildings. The parish priest Jonas Lapinskas, appointed in 1937, repainted the church's interior and built confessionals. Sadly, the Second World War brought no peace — during it some of the church vestments were lost.
Kazliškis Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is notable for its cruciform-plan architecture, its folk features and its particular harmony with its surroundings. The two-tier roof is adorned with two small turrets, and the churchyard is enclosed by an openwork iron fence standing on a concrete base. Next to the church one can also see a wooden bell tower, which adds to the overall authentic character of the ensemble.
The Kazliškis church is not only a house of prayer but also a living witness to history, recalling many important events and people. Over the years this place has become a source of spiritual strength for the local people and their guests.
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