About the Church
The church of Divine Providence at Utena is not only a marvel of modern architecture but also a lively community centre. Situated in a quiet part of the town, this church is the second parish church in Utena, and its history began several decades ago.
It all began in 1990, when, on the initiative of Fr Sigitas Sudentas, the Roman Catholic community of the Aukštakalnis-Dauniškis microdistricts was registered. This was an important step, as it marked the beginning of active efforts to create a new complex of prayer houses. A pyramid-shaped chapel became the first fruit of this vision, and it was consecrated that same year.
Although the original project envisaged a grand pyramid-shaped church, the construction process stalled for lack of funds and the design was revised. The architects Vladas Treinys and Juozapas Šipalis adapted their design and created a more modest, but still impressive, flat-roofed church. Construction began in 1992, but was completed only more than a decade later.
In 2003 Bishop Jonas Kauneckas of Panevėžys established the parish of Divine Providence in Utena. The new church, designed by Ričardas Krištapavičius and Mindaugas Jamantas, was consecrated on 19 March 2005, on the feast of St Joseph. The ceremony was led by Bishop Kauneckas himself, together with other senior clergy.
The church is built of red clinker brick and is a fine example of Modernism. Its tower, reaching a height of 44 metres, dominates the surrounding landscape. The interior is likewise impressive: a minimalist design, walls of exposed red brick and metal structures give the space a sense of modernity. The altar and pulpit, made of Lithuanian stone, were created by Valentinas Šimonėlis, and the stained-glass windows by Professor Kazys Morkūnas. Particularly notable are the "Stations of the Cross", set into fourteen of the church's windows.
In the cold season worshippers can enjoy heated floors, and comfortable confessionals provide an intimate space for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The church has spacious galleries, modern pews seating over 500 people, and room in total for about 1,000 worshippers. Music lovers can admire the German electronic organ "Johhanus Gloria", which has as many as 60 stops. The bells in the tower are computer-controlled, adding yet another element of modern technology to the traditional setting.
Despite some public debate over the church's proximity to a shopping centre, the church of Divine Providence in Utena has become an important spiritual and cultural centre for the town and its surroundings. Today it serves not only as a house of prayer but also as a gathering place for the community, where various events and cultural projects take place.
It all began in 1990, when, on the initiative of Fr Sigitas Sudentas, the Roman Catholic community of the Aukštakalnis-Dauniškis microdistricts was registered. This was an important step, as it marked the beginning of active efforts to create a new complex of prayer houses. A pyramid-shaped chapel became the first fruit of this vision, and it was consecrated that same year.
Although the original project envisaged a grand pyramid-shaped church, the construction process stalled for lack of funds and the design was revised. The architects Vladas Treinys and Juozapas Šipalis adapted their design and created a more modest, but still impressive, flat-roofed church. Construction began in 1992, but was completed only more than a decade later.
In 2003 Bishop Jonas Kauneckas of Panevėžys established the parish of Divine Providence in Utena. The new church, designed by Ričardas Krištapavičius and Mindaugas Jamantas, was consecrated on 19 March 2005, on the feast of St Joseph. The ceremony was led by Bishop Kauneckas himself, together with other senior clergy.
The church is built of red clinker brick and is a fine example of Modernism. Its tower, reaching a height of 44 metres, dominates the surrounding landscape. The interior is likewise impressive: a minimalist design, walls of exposed red brick and metal structures give the space a sense of modernity. The altar and pulpit, made of Lithuanian stone, were created by Valentinas Šimonėlis, and the stained-glass windows by Professor Kazys Morkūnas. Particularly notable are the "Stations of the Cross", set into fourteen of the church's windows.
In the cold season worshippers can enjoy heated floors, and comfortable confessionals provide an intimate space for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The church has spacious galleries, modern pews seating over 500 people, and room in total for about 1,000 worshippers. Music lovers can admire the German electronic organ "Johhanus Gloria", which has as many as 60 stops. The bells in the tower are computer-controlled, adding yet another element of modern technology to the traditional setting.
Despite some public debate over the church's proximity to a shopping centre, the church of Divine Providence in Utena has become an important spiritual and cultural centre for the town and its surroundings. Today it serves not only as a house of prayer but also as a gathering place for the community, where various events and cultural projects take place.