About the Church
The Church of St Hyacinth (Jackus) in Skapiškis is one of those Lithuanian churches whose history and architecture prompt reflection on past events and people's self-sacrifice. Situated in the small town of Skapiškis, this church has changed its form and role in the life of the community more than once.
The first church in Skapiškis was dedicated to St Lawrence the Martyr. However, the canon of Vilnius, Juozapas Domininkas Puzinas, who in the first half of the 18th century preached here in Lithuanian, was of great importance to the town. On his initiative, Dominicans were settled in Skapiškis in 1750; they were granted land, and a monastery and a wooden church were built. Unfortunately, this church burned down in 1806.
In 1819 the Dominicans built the present masonry church. During the Napoleonic Wars and the later uprisings against the Russian Empire, the monastery and the church underwent many changes. The monastery was closed and the church turned into a warehouse. Nevertheless, the faithful did not give up — in 1856 the church was recovered and soon afterwards blessed.
The church's architecture bears pronounced Classicist features. It is a rectangular-plan, towerless structure with three aisles and a barrel vault in the central aisle. The churchyard is enclosed by a stone wall, and a Lourdes grotto has been built within it, adding a particular sense of sacred peace.
The church suffered severely during both world wars. However, its interior and exterior were continually restored. After the Second World War the buildings of the former monastery were demolished, but the church went on serving as a centre of spiritual life for the local community.
Today the Church of St Hyacinth (Jackus) in Skapiškis not only recalls difficult periods but also symbolises the community's strength and perseverance. Its history mirrors the fate of many Lithuanian churches that survived hardship and fought for their existence and their importance in the lives of local believers.
The first church in Skapiškis was dedicated to St Lawrence the Martyr. However, the canon of Vilnius, Juozapas Domininkas Puzinas, who in the first half of the 18th century preached here in Lithuanian, was of great importance to the town. On his initiative, Dominicans were settled in Skapiškis in 1750; they were granted land, and a monastery and a wooden church were built. Unfortunately, this church burned down in 1806.
In 1819 the Dominicans built the present masonry church. During the Napoleonic Wars and the later uprisings against the Russian Empire, the monastery and the church underwent many changes. The monastery was closed and the church turned into a warehouse. Nevertheless, the faithful did not give up — in 1856 the church was recovered and soon afterwards blessed.
The church's architecture bears pronounced Classicist features. It is a rectangular-plan, towerless structure with three aisles and a barrel vault in the central aisle. The churchyard is enclosed by a stone wall, and a Lourdes grotto has been built within it, adding a particular sense of sacred peace.
The church suffered severely during both world wars. However, its interior and exterior were continually restored. After the Second World War the buildings of the former monastery were demolished, but the church went on serving as a centre of spiritual life for the local community.
Today the Church of St Hyacinth (Jackus) in Skapiškis not only recalls difficult periods but also symbolises the community's strength and perseverance. Its history mirrors the fate of many Lithuanian churches that survived hardship and fought for their existence and their importance in the lives of local believers.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Skapiškio šv. Hiacinto (Jackaus) bažnyčia.
Ji pastatyta 1819 m., vienuolių dominikonų iniciatyva. Klasicizmo bruožų turinti bažnyčia po 1831 m. sukilimo buvo paversta sandėliu. 1856 m. tikintieji bažnyčią atgavo. Per abu pasaulinius karus bažnyčia buvo apgriauta. Pokariu suremontuota.