About the Church
A walk through the villages and small towns of Lithuania often opens the door to a remarkable world of history. One such place worth visiting is the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church at Kriklinai, standing in the small town of Kriklinai, in the Pasvalys district.
This church is a fine example of vernacular architecture, built of wood, like many other sacred buildings of its time. The church's origins go back to 1781, when it was built on the initiative of local people as a filial church of the Pumpėnai parish. Interestingly, before it was built, the people of Kriklinai would pray in a small chapel 2 kilometres from the town, on the hillfort of the Moliūnai manor. As time went on, the need for a church of their own grew, and so the chapel was moved closer to the people.
In 1897 the church was rebuilt and enlarged — chapels were added on the sides, and a wooden bell tower built beside it further strengthened the appearance of the sacred complex. But it was not only the buildings that shaped this place — so too did its people. The parish was officially established in 1926, and in the following decades the church became an important centre drawing the community.
An interesting and painful period in the church's history came in the post-war years. In 1948 the then parish priest F. Zinevičius and the organist B. Merfeldas were arrested on suspicion of supporting the partisans. Despite these difficult times, the church continued to stand firm and was constantly maintained — thanks to the parish priest Pranciškus Masilionis, it was repaired and restored.
Architecturally the church has a Latin-cross plan, two towers and a single nave, with three altars inside. A particular atmosphere is lent by the stone-built churchyard fence and the wooden bell tower, which complete the whole complex. The church stands out for its simplicity and cosiness, characteristic of vernacular architecture.
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church at Kriklinai is not only a religious building but also a witness to the many historical events that shaped this small community. It is a place where one can feel the breath of the past and understand the importance this church has had, and still has, for the local people.
This church is a fine example of vernacular architecture, built of wood, like many other sacred buildings of its time. The church's origins go back to 1781, when it was built on the initiative of local people as a filial church of the Pumpėnai parish. Interestingly, before it was built, the people of Kriklinai would pray in a small chapel 2 kilometres from the town, on the hillfort of the Moliūnai manor. As time went on, the need for a church of their own grew, and so the chapel was moved closer to the people.
In 1897 the church was rebuilt and enlarged — chapels were added on the sides, and a wooden bell tower built beside it further strengthened the appearance of the sacred complex. But it was not only the buildings that shaped this place — so too did its people. The parish was officially established in 1926, and in the following decades the church became an important centre drawing the community.
An interesting and painful period in the church's history came in the post-war years. In 1948 the then parish priest F. Zinevičius and the organist B. Merfeldas were arrested on suspicion of supporting the partisans. Despite these difficult times, the church continued to stand firm and was constantly maintained — thanks to the parish priest Pranciškus Masilionis, it was repaired and restored.
Architecturally the church has a Latin-cross plan, two towers and a single nave, with three altars inside. A particular atmosphere is lent by the stone-built churchyard fence and the wooden bell tower, which complete the whole complex. The church stands out for its simplicity and cosiness, characteristic of vernacular architecture.
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church at Kriklinai is not only a religious building but also a witness to the many historical events that shaped this small community. It is a place where one can feel the breath of the past and understand the importance this church has had, and still has, for the local people.