About the Church
The Church of Our Lady of Protection in Paįstrys is a charming example of wooden architecture, rising in the village of Paįstrys, near Panevėžys. Built in 1910, this Gothic Revival church draws attention with its elegant, graceful appearance and rich history.
The church's history began as far back as the end of the 18th century, when in 1781 a wooden chapel was built in the village cemetery. At that time Paįstrys did not yet have its own priest, so clergy from the surrounding area would come here from time to time. One of them, the priest Stasys Stakelė, became a favourite visitor, as people often needed his help with religious rites.
An interesting turn came in 1908, when a new priest arrived at Paįstrys manor who turned out to be a member of the Mariavite sect. His activity caused confusion among the local residents, but the parish priest of Pumpėnai, Juozapas Vinkšna, soon intervened, and Bishop Gasparas Cirtautas appointed the priest Jurgis Tilvytis as curate. This priest carried out his duties calmly and patiently, and the Mariavite priest soon left the area.
Thanks to the manor owner Hopenas, the church received a plot of land with buildings, as well as the furnishings of the former Mariavite chapel. This made it possible to build the present wooden church in 1910, in which three altars were installed. The church interior is adorned with relief Stations of the Cross by the sculptor Juozas Zikaras and three sculptures of saints.
Architecturally, the church at Paįstrys is striking for its Gothic Revival appearance. The front facade with its two slender towers gives it a special charm. The tower roofs are pyramidal, with intricate openwork crosses, which lends the church an almost weightless feel. The entrance door is adorned with an arched window and a relief ornament of insignia, giving the facade additional elegance.
Beside the church stands a wooden bell tower, its roof broken and decorated with triangular gables similar to the church's decorations. The whole churchyard area is enclosed by a stone-masonry wall, which blends into the overall harmony of the complex.
The Church of Our Lady of Protection in Paįstrys is not only an important religious site but also a striking cultural monument, bearing witness to historical events and architectural trends in Lithuania in the early 20th century.
The church's history began as far back as the end of the 18th century, when in 1781 a wooden chapel was built in the village cemetery. At that time Paįstrys did not yet have its own priest, so clergy from the surrounding area would come here from time to time. One of them, the priest Stasys Stakelė, became a favourite visitor, as people often needed his help with religious rites.
An interesting turn came in 1908, when a new priest arrived at Paįstrys manor who turned out to be a member of the Mariavite sect. His activity caused confusion among the local residents, but the parish priest of Pumpėnai, Juozapas Vinkšna, soon intervened, and Bishop Gasparas Cirtautas appointed the priest Jurgis Tilvytis as curate. This priest carried out his duties calmly and patiently, and the Mariavite priest soon left the area.
Thanks to the manor owner Hopenas, the church received a plot of land with buildings, as well as the furnishings of the former Mariavite chapel. This made it possible to build the present wooden church in 1910, in which three altars were installed. The church interior is adorned with relief Stations of the Cross by the sculptor Juozas Zikaras and three sculptures of saints.
Architecturally, the church at Paįstrys is striking for its Gothic Revival appearance. The front facade with its two slender towers gives it a special charm. The tower roofs are pyramidal, with intricate openwork crosses, which lends the church an almost weightless feel. The entrance door is adorned with an arched window and a relief ornament of insignia, giving the facade additional elegance.
Beside the church stands a wooden bell tower, its roof broken and decorated with triangular gables similar to the church's decorations. The whole churchyard area is enclosed by a stone-masonry wall, which blends into the overall harmony of the complex.
The Church of Our Lady of Protection in Paįstrys is not only an important religious site but also a striking cultural monument, bearing witness to historical events and architectural trends in Lithuania in the early 20th century.