About the Church
The church of St John the Apostle and Evangelist at Lukštai is an impressive example of historic architecture, whose history and architectural features are sure to attract the attention of any curious visitor.
The church stands in the village of Lukštai, in Rokiškis district. Built in 1925, it stands out for its Historicist style, which combines Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Byzantine elements. The church has a rectangular plan with an apse and two small towers, and its churchyard wall is of solid stone masonry. The interior is three-aisled, which gives the building a sense of spaciousness and grandeur.
The history of the church's construction is long and full of challenges. It all began back in 1908, when Count Jonas Pšezdeckis of Rokiškis requested permission to fit out a chapel in a former spirit-distillery building. Unfortunately, it turned out that the building's walls were too weak for such a project, so a new plan had to be drawn up. Construction work began in 1911, but was soon halted by the authorities over discrepancies in the project. During the First World War the Germans stole the building materials, so the church was not completed until 1925.
Despite the various obstacles, the church eventually became an important centre of the local community. On 13 June 1927 it was granted parish rights, and the appointed parish priest Bronius Strumyla began his work here. On 18 August 1928 the church was consecrated by Bishop Kazimieras Paltarokas, and thanks to Fr Liudvikas Povilonis a bell was bought in 1937.
During the Second World War the church was damaged, but was rebuilt after the war. Leonardas Tamašauskas, parish priest here from 1969, became known for his ministry, despite having been imprisoned in 1949–1956.
The church of St John the Apostle and Evangelist at Lukštai remains to this day a symbol not only of religious practice but also of cultural identity. Its history speaks of the persistence and faith that helped preserve this shrine through various hardships and challenges.
The church stands in the village of Lukštai, in Rokiškis district. Built in 1925, it stands out for its Historicist style, which combines Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Byzantine elements. The church has a rectangular plan with an apse and two small towers, and its churchyard wall is of solid stone masonry. The interior is three-aisled, which gives the building a sense of spaciousness and grandeur.
The history of the church's construction is long and full of challenges. It all began back in 1908, when Count Jonas Pšezdeckis of Rokiškis requested permission to fit out a chapel in a former spirit-distillery building. Unfortunately, it turned out that the building's walls were too weak for such a project, so a new plan had to be drawn up. Construction work began in 1911, but was soon halted by the authorities over discrepancies in the project. During the First World War the Germans stole the building materials, so the church was not completed until 1925.
Despite the various obstacles, the church eventually became an important centre of the local community. On 13 June 1927 it was granted parish rights, and the appointed parish priest Bronius Strumyla began his work here. On 18 August 1928 the church was consecrated by Bishop Kazimieras Paltarokas, and thanks to Fr Liudvikas Povilonis a bell was bought in 1937.
During the Second World War the church was damaged, but was rebuilt after the war. Leonardas Tamašauskas, parish priest here from 1969, became known for his ministry, despite having been imprisoned in 1949–1956.
The church of St John the Apostle and Evangelist at Lukštai remains to this day a symbol not only of religious practice but also of cultural identity. Its history speaks of the persistence and faith that helped preserve this shrine through various hardships and challenges.