About the Church
The church of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Sudeikiai is one of the most impressive and historic buildings in Utena district, standing in the small town of Sudeikiai by Lake Alaušas. Built in 1825, it reflects the features of Classicist architecture with a Baroque pediment, which gives this church a particular beauty.
The story of this church's construction begins in the 18th century, when Povilas Koziela-Poklevskis, owner of the Degsnys manor, decided to build an inn near what is now the Sudeikiai cemetery. At that time a chapel was built at the Bikuškis manor, in place of which in 1779 Stanisław August founded the small town of Sudeikiai, granting it the privilege of a market and fair. The chapel's construction was funded by Benediktas Prušinskas, and services were held there from 1782.
Around 1800 lightning burned down the chapel, which had been visited by serfs not only from Bikuškis but also from Degsnys manor. It is said that a dispute arose between the manor owners over who would build the new church. In the end it was agreed that the church would be built halfway between the two – at Sudeikiai. In 1806 a temporary church was built at Sudeikiai, and construction began on the permanent stone church, which was not completed until 1825.
The church was built of plastered stone masonry, and its roof was thatched with straw, because the younger generation of the Koziela-Poklevskis family did not allocate sufficient funds. Residents of all the surrounding villages took part in the construction, gathering stones and carting them to the building site. Interestingly, the churchyard wall used stones brought from the nearby Alkai hill, which had been ancient pagan altars.
The church building has three altars, and in its churchyard there is a wooden bell tower and the graves of buried parish priests and founders. In 1917 wooden turrets with crosses were placed at both ends of the church roof, and in 1944 the church was badly damaged, but was later repaired, and by 1955 the Baroque pediment had been added.
One of the most notable people associated with this church was the writer Juozas Šnapštys-Margalis, who was parish priest in 1920–1921. The churchyard also holds the grave of the philosopher Juozas Girnius.
The rich and colourful history of the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Sudeikiai bears witness to the efforts and faith of the community, which helped preserve this architectural gem over many years. The church remains to this day an important part of the local community, where religious rites and other events take place.
The story of this church's construction begins in the 18th century, when Povilas Koziela-Poklevskis, owner of the Degsnys manor, decided to build an inn near what is now the Sudeikiai cemetery. At that time a chapel was built at the Bikuškis manor, in place of which in 1779 Stanisław August founded the small town of Sudeikiai, granting it the privilege of a market and fair. The chapel's construction was funded by Benediktas Prušinskas, and services were held there from 1782.
Around 1800 lightning burned down the chapel, which had been visited by serfs not only from Bikuškis but also from Degsnys manor. It is said that a dispute arose between the manor owners over who would build the new church. In the end it was agreed that the church would be built halfway between the two – at Sudeikiai. In 1806 a temporary church was built at Sudeikiai, and construction began on the permanent stone church, which was not completed until 1825.
The church was built of plastered stone masonry, and its roof was thatched with straw, because the younger generation of the Koziela-Poklevskis family did not allocate sufficient funds. Residents of all the surrounding villages took part in the construction, gathering stones and carting them to the building site. Interestingly, the churchyard wall used stones brought from the nearby Alkai hill, which had been ancient pagan altars.
The church building has three altars, and in its churchyard there is a wooden bell tower and the graves of buried parish priests and founders. In 1917 wooden turrets with crosses were placed at both ends of the church roof, and in 1944 the church was badly damaged, but was later repaired, and by 1955 the Baroque pediment had been added.
One of the most notable people associated with this church was the writer Juozas Šnapštys-Margalis, who was parish priest in 1920–1921. The churchyard also holds the grave of the philosopher Juozas Girnius.
The rich and colourful history of the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Sudeikiai bears witness to the efforts and faith of the community, which helped preserve this architectural gem over many years. The church remains to this day an important part of the local community, where religious rites and other events take place.