About the Church
The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Suostas is a unique church whose history spans several centuries and many trials. Located in the village of Suostas, near the border between Lithuania and Latvia, this church is a striking example of Postmodernism and an important part of the local community's spiritual life.
The first church in the village of Suostas was built as early as 1720, when the priest Juozas Šarkevičius founded a wooden church with three altars and an organ. It was a modest but significant place where the faithful could gather to pray. After Father Šarkevičius's death, services were held only rarely, and later a plot of land was allotted to the chapel to secure its upkeep.
Over the years the church changed more than once. On the initiative of the priest Vincentas Tilvidavičius, in the first half of the 19th century the chapel was enlarged and a tower with two bells was added. Unfortunately, these bells were taken to Russia in 1915, but the community did not give up and continued to cherish its church.
In 1831 Father Tilvidavičius was exiled, and around 1860 a new priest, Mykolas Januškevičius, arrived; he saw to the construction of farm buildings and secured filial-church status for the chapel. From then on parish registers began to be kept, which became an important record for the parish.
In the late 19th century, thanks to the parish priests Steponas Macejauskas and Jeronimas Viksva, the church grounds were enclosed with a stone wall, a new presbytery was built, and an orchard was planted. All of this contributed to beautifying the church's surroundings and improving its function.
In the 20th century the Suostas church endured many trials. In 1904 a new wooden, two-towered church was built, but it burned down during the Second World War. After the war a temporary wooden church was built, which also burned down in 2001.
Despite all these misfortunes, the community did not give up. In 2004 the cornerstone was laid for a new church, for which the architect Kazys Tamošėtis designed a rectangular-plan, towerless building with a porch. This church was blessed on 13 May 2007 and has since again become a gathering place for the local faithful.
Today the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Suostas is not only a place of worship but also an important cultural landmark, testifying to the community's strength and perseverance over many years. It is a fine example of how people's faith and unity can rebuild even places affected by the greatest hardships.
The first church in the village of Suostas was built as early as 1720, when the priest Juozas Šarkevičius founded a wooden church with three altars and an organ. It was a modest but significant place where the faithful could gather to pray. After Father Šarkevičius's death, services were held only rarely, and later a plot of land was allotted to the chapel to secure its upkeep.
Over the years the church changed more than once. On the initiative of the priest Vincentas Tilvidavičius, in the first half of the 19th century the chapel was enlarged and a tower with two bells was added. Unfortunately, these bells were taken to Russia in 1915, but the community did not give up and continued to cherish its church.
In 1831 Father Tilvidavičius was exiled, and around 1860 a new priest, Mykolas Januškevičius, arrived; he saw to the construction of farm buildings and secured filial-church status for the chapel. From then on parish registers began to be kept, which became an important record for the parish.
In the late 19th century, thanks to the parish priests Steponas Macejauskas and Jeronimas Viksva, the church grounds were enclosed with a stone wall, a new presbytery was built, and an orchard was planted. All of this contributed to beautifying the church's surroundings and improving its function.
In the 20th century the Suostas church endured many trials. In 1904 a new wooden, two-towered church was built, but it burned down during the Second World War. After the war a temporary wooden church was built, which also burned down in 2001.
Despite all these misfortunes, the community did not give up. In 2004 the cornerstone was laid for a new church, for which the architect Kazys Tamošėtis designed a rectangular-plan, towerless building with a porch. This church was blessed on 13 May 2007 and has since again become a gathering place for the local faithful.
Today the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Suostas is not only a place of worship but also an important cultural landmark, testifying to the community's strength and perseverance over many years. It is a fine example of how people's faith and unity can rebuild even places affected by the greatest hardships.
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