About the Church
The Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Velžys is a special place where old and new history intertwine, preserving the community's spirit and unity. The village of Velžys, in Panevėžys district, has long had its own house of prayer. Already in the interwar period a church stood here, built around 1930, which was blessed by Bishop Kazimieras Paltarokas. This church, built after Uršulė Valentinavičiūtė donated a plot of land and the villagers raised funds, became an important religious and community centre.
Sadly, everything changed during the Soviet period. The church was nationalised, closed and converted into a residential building. Nevertheless, the local religious community remained alive, and in 1997 the present chapel was set up in another residential building. This was a significant step, showing the community's strength and the importance of its faith.
The Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Velžys was only officially founded in 2007. Plans for building a new church were then drawn up, and a plot on Alantos Street was allocated. Nevertheless, it was decided to focus on renovating the existing chapel rather than building a new church.
The chapel's renovation was carried out in 2021, during which a new altar, ambo and tabernacle were blessed by Bishop Linas Vodopjanovas. The renovated chapel became an even more welcoming and fitting place for prayer and community gatherings. In the chapel's courtyard also stands a wayside shrine pillar with a figure of the Sorrowful Christ (Rūpintojėlis), created in 2009 by the artist Petras Zinkevičius.
Today the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Velžys is not only a centre of faith and spiritual life but also a place where history and the present meet, recalling the importance of effort and community unity.
Sadly, everything changed during the Soviet period. The church was nationalised, closed and converted into a residential building. Nevertheless, the local religious community remained alive, and in 1997 the present chapel was set up in another residential building. This was a significant step, showing the community's strength and the importance of its faith.
The Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Velžys was only officially founded in 2007. Plans for building a new church were then drawn up, and a plot on Alantos Street was allocated. Nevertheless, it was decided to focus on renovating the existing chapel rather than building a new church.
The chapel's renovation was carried out in 2021, during which a new altar, ambo and tabernacle were blessed by Bishop Linas Vodopjanovas. The renovated chapel became an even more welcoming and fitting place for prayer and community gatherings. In the chapel's courtyard also stands a wayside shrine pillar with a figure of the Sorrowful Christ (Rūpintojėlis), created in 2009 by the artist Petras Zinkevičius.
Today the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Velžys is not only a centre of faith and spiritual life but also a place where history and the present meet, recalling the importance of effort and community unity.