About the Church
The Church of St John the Baptist in Pasvalys is one of the most impressive churches in Lithuania, standing in Pasvalys at the confluence of the Lėvuo and Svalia rivers. The church combines Baroque and Historicist architectural styles, reflecting the various trends and aesthetic solutions of its periods.
The history begins as far back as 1497, when the Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander Jagiellon granted a plot of land for the building of a church, organised by the priest Jonas Grotas. A year later J. Grotas became the first parish priest of Pasvalys, and in 1580 manorial estates were assigned to the church for the Vilnius chapter, which later rebuilt the church. At the end of the 16th century the villages of Karkliškiai and Šlamai belonged to this parish.
However, the church's history was not without tragic events. In 1776 the church burned down, but was quickly rebuilt. The new masonry church, built in 1779–1787, had a rectangular plan and no towers. Only later, in 1885–1887, under the care of the parish priest Vladas Dambrauskas, was the church enlarged and towers added.
It is interesting that in 1904, on the initiative of the parish priest J. Banevičius, an almshouse was built beside the church and a bridge was laid across the Lėvuo, and a masonry bell tower with three bells was also built. During the interwar period and after the Second World War the church underwent various alterations and repairs, especially after the fire of 1933.
One of the most prominent 20th-century figures associated with this church was the priest Juozapas Čepėnas, who, after lengthy imprisonment in Vladimir prison, lived in Pasvalys and died there in 1976.
The church's architecture is truly impressive. With a rectangular plan, two towers, five annexes and three naves separated by pillars, it creates a grand and solemn atmosphere. Inside are five altars, which add to the beauty of the interior. The churchyard is enclosed by a rendered masonry wall, giving the whole ensemble a sense of unity and completeness.
The Church of St John the Baptist in Pasvalys is not only an architectural gem but also was a centre of religious and cultural activity during the Soviet era. It is a place where historical events, architectural achievements and the stories of people's lives intertwine, leaving traces for future generations.
The history begins as far back as 1497, when the Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander Jagiellon granted a plot of land for the building of a church, organised by the priest Jonas Grotas. A year later J. Grotas became the first parish priest of Pasvalys, and in 1580 manorial estates were assigned to the church for the Vilnius chapter, which later rebuilt the church. At the end of the 16th century the villages of Karkliškiai and Šlamai belonged to this parish.
However, the church's history was not without tragic events. In 1776 the church burned down, but was quickly rebuilt. The new masonry church, built in 1779–1787, had a rectangular plan and no towers. Only later, in 1885–1887, under the care of the parish priest Vladas Dambrauskas, was the church enlarged and towers added.
It is interesting that in 1904, on the initiative of the parish priest J. Banevičius, an almshouse was built beside the church and a bridge was laid across the Lėvuo, and a masonry bell tower with three bells was also built. During the interwar period and after the Second World War the church underwent various alterations and repairs, especially after the fire of 1933.
One of the most prominent 20th-century figures associated with this church was the priest Juozapas Čepėnas, who, after lengthy imprisonment in Vladimir prison, lived in Pasvalys and died there in 1976.
The church's architecture is truly impressive. With a rectangular plan, two towers, five annexes and three naves separated by pillars, it creates a grand and solemn atmosphere. Inside are five altars, which add to the beauty of the interior. The churchyard is enclosed by a rendered masonry wall, giving the whole ensemble a sense of unity and completeness.
The Church of St John the Baptist in Pasvalys is not only an architectural gem but also was a centre of religious and cultural activity during the Soviet era. It is a place where historical events, architectural achievements and the stories of people's lives intertwine, leaving traces for future generations.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Bažnyčios, statytos 1861 m., įėjimo fragmentas. Matyti ant bažnyčios laiptų sėdinčios elgetos. Fotografas karininkas Medardas Vasiliauskas. Nuotrauka paklijuota ant kartoninio pasporto. Pasporto reverse įrašas: „Biržai / prie bažnyčios / M. Vasiliausko / 5 p. pulkas“.
Bažnyčios, statytos 1861 m., įėjimo fragmentas. Matyti ant bažnyčios laiptų sėdinčios elgetos. Nuotrauka autoriaus įvardinta „Vėlinių ubagai“. Fotografas karininkas Medardas Vasiliauskas.