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Panevėžys-Krekenava Deanery

Panevėžio Švč. Trejybės bažnyčia

Built 1803 Age 223 yr Coord. 55.7266, 24.3582
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About the Church

The Holy Trinity Church in Panevėžys is an impressive religious building in the Classicist and Historicist styles, notable both for its architecture and its rich history. It stands prominently in the city of Panevėžys, on Sodų Street.

The church's origins go back to the 18th century, when in 1727 the canon of the Vilnius chapter, Kristupas Belozaras, and the starosta of Bernatonys, Kristupas Domaskis, together with his wife Konstancija, settled Piarist monks at the Pauslavas manor. They built a wooden church, a monastery and a school. Unfortunately, a great fire destroyed these buildings in 1790, but as early as 1803 a new towerless stone masonry church was built, which has survived to this day.

Over its long history the church experienced many changes and misfortunes. After the uprising of 1831 the Russian administration closed the Piarist monastery, the church and the grammar school, and their property was handed over to the Orthodox Church. This situation continued until the end of the First World War. During the war a prisoner-of-war camp was set up in the church, and in 1918 it was returned to the Catholics. The priest Juozapas Ruškys took an active part in restoring and repairing the church – three altars, brought from Klovainiai, and an organ were installed.

In 1927 the Bishop of Panevėžys handed the church over to the Marian Fathers, who further embellished its interior. The church was consecrated by Bishop Kazimieras Paltarokas, and in 1936 the interior was repainted. During the Second World War the church suffered heavy damage, but after the war the priest Stasys Mažeika repaired and restored its interior. Nevertheless, the Soviet authorities soon closed it and used it as a house of culture and exhibition hall.

Only after Lithuania regained its independence in 1989 did the church again begin to serve as a Catholic house of prayer. Today the Holy Trinity Church in Panevėžys is an important part of the city's religious and cultural life. It is adorned with five altars, and the church's tower and interior delight both local residents and visitors to the city.

Gallery and Resources

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