About the Church
The Pabiržė Church of the Holy Trinity is not only an architectural monument but also an important centre of religious life in the small town of Pabiržė, situated just a few kilometres from Biržai. This church's history spans more than five centuries and reflects various periods and styles.
The first wooden church was raised here as early as 1515, through the care of Mikalojus Mikalojaitis Radvila the Younger. Since then, over several centuries, the church has been rebuilt and renovated more than once. A significant moment was 1647, when Karolis and Marija Rastauskas built a new wooden church, later consecrated by the auxiliary bishop Mikalojus Slupskis.
In the 18th century construction began on a third church, this time of masonry. Begun in 1707 on a former hillfort, the construction was halted by financial difficulties and was resumed only in 1766, on the initiative of the parish priest Gasparas Antanas Šarkevičius. The church was finished in 1772, and five years later it was consecrated by the auxiliary bishop Feliksas Jonas Tovianskis.
The present Pabiržė Church of the Holy Trinity, built in 1910, is a fine example of the Gothic Revival style. Its design was prepared by the engineer Florianas Vyganovskis from Riga. Red bricks were used in building this church, giving it its distinctive appearance. After the First World War, on the initiative of the parish priest Ignas Andrašiūnas, the church was painted, pews were installed and church furnishings were provided. On 12 August 1929 Bishop Kazimieras Paltarokas consecrated the church.
The Second World War did not spare this church either – the towers and roof were badly damaged. But thanks to the parish priest Vincas Norkus, the church was successfully repaired. A special place in the history of Pabiržė is held by Bishop Vincentas Sladkevičius, who lived at this church in exile in 1976–1982. In his honour an oak memorial plaque with a bas-relief was unveiled in 2000.
Architecturally the church has a rectangular plan, with two tall towers reaching a height of 48 metres. It has three altars, and the surrounding wall is of stone masonry with a three-opening gate. In 1997 a monument to political prisoners was erected in the churchyard, created by the architect Algimantas Urbštas.
Today the Pabiržė Church of the Holy Trinity not only serves as a house of prayer, but also recalls the rich history and cultural heritage of the small town of Pabiržė.
The first wooden church was raised here as early as 1515, through the care of Mikalojus Mikalojaitis Radvila the Younger. Since then, over several centuries, the church has been rebuilt and renovated more than once. A significant moment was 1647, when Karolis and Marija Rastauskas built a new wooden church, later consecrated by the auxiliary bishop Mikalojus Slupskis.
In the 18th century construction began on a third church, this time of masonry. Begun in 1707 on a former hillfort, the construction was halted by financial difficulties and was resumed only in 1766, on the initiative of the parish priest Gasparas Antanas Šarkevičius. The church was finished in 1772, and five years later it was consecrated by the auxiliary bishop Feliksas Jonas Tovianskis.
The present Pabiržė Church of the Holy Trinity, built in 1910, is a fine example of the Gothic Revival style. Its design was prepared by the engineer Florianas Vyganovskis from Riga. Red bricks were used in building this church, giving it its distinctive appearance. After the First World War, on the initiative of the parish priest Ignas Andrašiūnas, the church was painted, pews were installed and church furnishings were provided. On 12 August 1929 Bishop Kazimieras Paltarokas consecrated the church.
The Second World War did not spare this church either – the towers and roof were badly damaged. But thanks to the parish priest Vincas Norkus, the church was successfully repaired. A special place in the history of Pabiržė is held by Bishop Vincentas Sladkevičius, who lived at this church in exile in 1976–1982. In his honour an oak memorial plaque with a bas-relief was unveiled in 2000.
Architecturally the church has a rectangular plan, with two tall towers reaching a height of 48 metres. It has three altars, and the surrounding wall is of stone masonry with a three-opening gate. In 1997 a monument to political prisoners was erected in the churchyard, created by the architect Algimantas Urbštas.
Today the Pabiržė Church of the Holy Trinity not only serves as a house of prayer, but also recalls the rich history and cultural heritage of the small town of Pabiržė.
Gallery and Resources
