About the Church
The Church of St Andrew the Apostle in Velykiai is one of the most charming and significant sacred buildings in the Panevėžys district. This historic church, built in 1839, is located in the village of Velykiai, near the bank of the Alanta stream. Its walls, of stone and brick masonry, exude the spirit of the past and architectural elegance.
The owner of the Velykiai manor, Vincentas Juozapavičius, began building a masonry chapel on the site of his father's grave in 1838–1839. This was the first step towards the founding of the present church. By 1846 a resident priest was already serving in Velykiai, and in 1849 the chapel's interior was renovated. Later Juozapas Juozapavičius built a presbytery and allotted a tenth of the land, which was used for the church's needs.
The greatest changes took place in the early 20th century. The priests Petras Lebioda and Pranas Tiškevičius oversaw the enlargement of the church in 1909–1910, to a design by the architect Antanas Naruckis. The church was lengthened, chapels were added on both sides, and a facade tower was built. In 1926, on the initiative of the priest F. Ereminas, a parish was established, which until then had been a filial church of the Panevėžys parish.
The interior was not neglected either — in 1928, on the initiative of the priest F. Liolis, a new floor was laid, in 1930 the roof was covered with tin sheeting, and in 1931 the tower was rendered and the interior repainted. In the same year Bishop Kazimieras Paltarokas consecrated the church, giving it a particular spiritual significance for the community.
During the Second World War and afterwards the church faced various challenges. The parish priest Boleslovas Beinaravičius was arrested on 29 September 1950 and tortured to death in Lukiškės Prison in Vilnius on 29 January 1951. Despite these difficult historical circumstances, the faithful continued to cherish and care for this church.
Architecturally, the church is in the Historicist style, with a cross plan and a single tall tower rising elegantly above the chancel. The churchyard wall is built of stone, which lends the whole complex further charm and solidity.
Today the Church of St Andrew the Apostle in Velykiai not only attracts tourists but also remains a living sacred centre where services and other religious events take place. The Marijanava chapel is also active within the parish, further enriching the spiritual life of the local community.
Visiting Velykiai, you will feel the spirit of old Lithuania and be able to admire one of the most authentic churches in the region.
The owner of the Velykiai manor, Vincentas Juozapavičius, began building a masonry chapel on the site of his father's grave in 1838–1839. This was the first step towards the founding of the present church. By 1846 a resident priest was already serving in Velykiai, and in 1849 the chapel's interior was renovated. Later Juozapas Juozapavičius built a presbytery and allotted a tenth of the land, which was used for the church's needs.
The greatest changes took place in the early 20th century. The priests Petras Lebioda and Pranas Tiškevičius oversaw the enlargement of the church in 1909–1910, to a design by the architect Antanas Naruckis. The church was lengthened, chapels were added on both sides, and a facade tower was built. In 1926, on the initiative of the priest F. Ereminas, a parish was established, which until then had been a filial church of the Panevėžys parish.
The interior was not neglected either — in 1928, on the initiative of the priest F. Liolis, a new floor was laid, in 1930 the roof was covered with tin sheeting, and in 1931 the tower was rendered and the interior repainted. In the same year Bishop Kazimieras Paltarokas consecrated the church, giving it a particular spiritual significance for the community.
During the Second World War and afterwards the church faced various challenges. The parish priest Boleslovas Beinaravičius was arrested on 29 September 1950 and tortured to death in Lukiškės Prison in Vilnius on 29 January 1951. Despite these difficult historical circumstances, the faithful continued to cherish and care for this church.
Architecturally, the church is in the Historicist style, with a cross plan and a single tall tower rising elegantly above the chancel. The churchyard wall is built of stone, which lends the whole complex further charm and solidity.
Today the Church of St Andrew the Apostle in Velykiai not only attracts tourists but also remains a living sacred centre where services and other religious events take place. The Marijanava chapel is also active within the parish, further enriching the spiritual life of the local community.
Visiting Velykiai, you will feel the spirit of old Lithuania and be able to admire one of the most authentic churches in the region.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Velykių Šv. apaštalo Andriejaus bažnyčia.
Signuotas akvarele averso apatinėje dalyje kairėje, pieštuku reverso viršutinėje dalyje kairėje.