About the Church
The Skiemonys Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a distinctive church of the Diocese of Panevėžys, in Anykščiai district, in the settlement of Skiemonys. In this cosy area by the Molėtai–Anykščiai road, on the left bank of the river Lukna, stands a wooden church whose history spans several centuries and takes in more than one important event and figure.
The first records of a church in Skiemonys go back as far as the 16th century, when the first chapel was built here. In 1618 the town was granted to the Canons Regular of Penance of Videniškiai, who founded a monastery here that operated until 1832. It was in 1677 that the first wooden church was built, but after it burned down services were held for a time in a temporary shed. In 1714 the manor owners Aloyzas and Vincas Maleckis had a new wooden church built, which became an important centre of religious life, with four altars and an organ of ten stops.
Despite these efforts, fire ravaged the church again in 1812. Difficult years followed – in 1832 the monastery was closed, and with it the church itself. Its property was handed over to other churches, and although the building was scorched, the valuable organ was left in place. Vincas Maleckis still tried to save the situation – in 1835 he applied to the bishop for permission to establish a filial church in the cemetery chapel. Finally, in 1840 the chapel was repaired and extended, became the main church, and a priest was appointed to it.
The present wooden church was built in 1884 on the initiative of the priest K. Bernatavičius. Twenty years later, in 1903, thanks to the priest Nikodemas Petkus, a masonry three-tiered bell tower was built. The bell tower stands out for its height of 25 metres and complements the church's architectural ensemble well. In 1926 the parish was officially established, and new organs were installed the same year.
An interesting and mystical event took place in July 1962, when the Mother of God appeared to an eighteen-year-old girl in the Janoniai field. This event brought many people to Skiemonys for prayer and penance. During the years of the National Revival, the Janoniai chapel was built on this spot, becoming a new centre of pilgrim devotion.
The church is built in the Historicist style, with a cruciform plan, a portico and a single tower. The interior is divided into three naves, where three altars can be seen, giving the interior a distinctive sense of sacredness. The church's churchyard also holds an old cemetery, enclosed by a stone masonry wall, which recalls the history and memory of those buried here.
Such a rich and varied history makes the Skiemonys Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary not only a religious centre but also a cultural heritage, bearing witness to the hardships, devotion and faith of the past.
The first records of a church in Skiemonys go back as far as the 16th century, when the first chapel was built here. In 1618 the town was granted to the Canons Regular of Penance of Videniškiai, who founded a monastery here that operated until 1832. It was in 1677 that the first wooden church was built, but after it burned down services were held for a time in a temporary shed. In 1714 the manor owners Aloyzas and Vincas Maleckis had a new wooden church built, which became an important centre of religious life, with four altars and an organ of ten stops.
Despite these efforts, fire ravaged the church again in 1812. Difficult years followed – in 1832 the monastery was closed, and with it the church itself. Its property was handed over to other churches, and although the building was scorched, the valuable organ was left in place. Vincas Maleckis still tried to save the situation – in 1835 he applied to the bishop for permission to establish a filial church in the cemetery chapel. Finally, in 1840 the chapel was repaired and extended, became the main church, and a priest was appointed to it.
The present wooden church was built in 1884 on the initiative of the priest K. Bernatavičius. Twenty years later, in 1903, thanks to the priest Nikodemas Petkus, a masonry three-tiered bell tower was built. The bell tower stands out for its height of 25 metres and complements the church's architectural ensemble well. In 1926 the parish was officially established, and new organs were installed the same year.
An interesting and mystical event took place in July 1962, when the Mother of God appeared to an eighteen-year-old girl in the Janoniai field. This event brought many people to Skiemonys for prayer and penance. During the years of the National Revival, the Janoniai chapel was built on this spot, becoming a new centre of pilgrim devotion.
The church is built in the Historicist style, with a cruciform plan, a portico and a single tower. The interior is divided into three naves, where three altars can be seen, giving the interior a distinctive sense of sacredness. The church's churchyard also holds an old cemetery, enclosed by a stone masonry wall, which recalls the history and memory of those buried here.
Such a rich and varied history makes the Skiemonys Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary not only a religious centre but also a cultural heritage, bearing witness to the hardships, devotion and faith of the past.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Skiemonių Švč. Mergelės Marijos bažnyčia. Kitoje pusėje fotografo spaudas.