About the Church
The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vabalninkas is a genuine architectural and historical gem, standing in Vabalninkas, in the Biržai district. The church combines Classicist and Neo-Baroque forms, and its historical journey is full of events and challenges.
The first church in Vabalninkas was built as early as 1617 on the initiative of Jeronimas Valavičius. It was a small wooden, single-towered church, and its construction was accompanied by the donation of a village to the church. A century later, in 1714, a new wooden church was built through the efforts of the priest Abraomas Skirmuntas, but it burned down in 1729 in a fire that struck the town. A third church was built soon afterwards, which likewise suffered from the town's misfortunes.
Historical sources show that the church was always not only a spiritual centre but also a hub of culture. For example, in 1740 an orchestra was active here, and the parish had a school where children were taught privately. In 1806 the parish priest, Canon A. Smalinavičius, enclosed the churchyard with a wall, and in 1814–1817 the present masonry church was built to a design by the architect Mykolas Šulcas. It was consecrated in 1818.
The church underwent more than one reconstruction. In 1880 it was enlarged and two towers were added to the facade, and in 1890 an impressive 33-stop organ was installed. The year 1895 was no less important — a new altar, designed by the architect Fulgentas Rimgaila, was installed then.
In the 20th century the church again suffered from the misfortunes of war. During the First World War the church's towers were torn down and the organ and roof were damaged. But after 1921 the church was rebuilt. During the Second World War, on 1 August 1944, the church was again damaged by bomb blasts, but thanks to the efforts of the parish priest Matas Kirlys it was repaired.
The church's architectural features attest to its Classicist and Neo-Baroque style. It has a basilica plan, a two-towered structure, and inside there are three aisles separated by piers. In the churchyard a wall built of quarried stone has been erected, in which small shrines for the Stations of the Cross are set. A two-storey bell tower, built in 1803–1805, also stands here.
Interestingly, the priest Stanislovas Krištanaitis, who was a prisoner in Siberia from 1951 to 1956, is buried in the churchyard. This is one more detail testifying to the church's connection with Lithuania's history and the fates of its people.
Today the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vabalninkas is not only a centre of spiritual life but also a witness to a rich history, telling of the hardships and triumphs experienced over the centuries.
The first church in Vabalninkas was built as early as 1617 on the initiative of Jeronimas Valavičius. It was a small wooden, single-towered church, and its construction was accompanied by the donation of a village to the church. A century later, in 1714, a new wooden church was built through the efforts of the priest Abraomas Skirmuntas, but it burned down in 1729 in a fire that struck the town. A third church was built soon afterwards, which likewise suffered from the town's misfortunes.
Historical sources show that the church was always not only a spiritual centre but also a hub of culture. For example, in 1740 an orchestra was active here, and the parish had a school where children were taught privately. In 1806 the parish priest, Canon A. Smalinavičius, enclosed the churchyard with a wall, and in 1814–1817 the present masonry church was built to a design by the architect Mykolas Šulcas. It was consecrated in 1818.
The church underwent more than one reconstruction. In 1880 it was enlarged and two towers were added to the facade, and in 1890 an impressive 33-stop organ was installed. The year 1895 was no less important — a new altar, designed by the architect Fulgentas Rimgaila, was installed then.
In the 20th century the church again suffered from the misfortunes of war. During the First World War the church's towers were torn down and the organ and roof were damaged. But after 1921 the church was rebuilt. During the Second World War, on 1 August 1944, the church was again damaged by bomb blasts, but thanks to the efforts of the parish priest Matas Kirlys it was repaired.
The church's architectural features attest to its Classicist and Neo-Baroque style. It has a basilica plan, a two-towered structure, and inside there are three aisles separated by piers. In the churchyard a wall built of quarried stone has been erected, in which small shrines for the Stations of the Cross are set. A two-storey bell tower, built in 1803–1805, also stands here.
Interestingly, the priest Stanislovas Krištanaitis, who was a prisoner in Siberia from 1951 to 1956, is buried in the churchyard. This is one more detail testifying to the church's connection with Lithuania's history and the fates of its people.
Today the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vabalninkas is not only a centre of spiritual life but also a witness to a rich history, telling of the hardships and triumphs experienced over the centuries.
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