About the Church
Čedasai Sts Peter and Paul Church is a remarkable religious and architectural monument, standing in the small town of Čedasai, at the confluence of the Vyžuona and Miniauka rivers. It is a place where a long history and distinctive art intertwine.
The very first church building on this site was erected even before 1516, founded by Gedeonas Rajeckis. After some time, however, this church passed to the Reformed Evangelicals and was abandoned at the end of the 16th century. Later, in the second half of the 17th century, it fell into ruin.
Although the old church had disappeared, in 1742 a new church of spruce logs, with two small towers and sacristies, was built at the expense of Marija Rachelė Gorskienė, wife of the castellan of Samogitia. In 1788 the parish was founded here and registers began to be kept, which survive to this day.
The 19th century and the start of the 20th brought enormous changes for this church. In 1843 the church received 40 desyatinas of land, and from 1901 to 1913, through the efforts of the parish priest Juozapas Kuzmickas, a new stone-masonry church was built, the one we see today. The old 8-stop organ was moved into the new building, and at J. Kuzmickas's expense a presbytery and outbuildings were also built. Sadly, during the First World War, in 1915, two of the church's bells were taken away to Russia.
Despite the hardships and the effects of the war, the community remained strong. In 1920 a branch of the Pavasaris youth movement was founded at the church, and in 1922 Bishop Pranciškus Karevičius consecrated it. Later, in 1938, on the initiative of the parish priest Pranas Vainauskas, the church was covered with sheet metal. During the Second World War, in 1944, the church was damaged, but soon after the war, in 1946, it was repaired through the efforts of the parish priest Kazys Čepulis.
Architecturally, this church is a Gothic Revival building with a rectangular plan. Its facade is adorned with two impressive towers, 53.2 metres high. Inside, the church has three naves and three altars, forming a space of harmonious beauty and peace. The church's crypt is protected by a stone-masonry wall, and in it is buried one of the most important figures in the church's history — the parish priest Juozapas Kuzmickas.
Čedasai Sts Peter and Paul Church is not only a religious centre but also a living witness to history, telling of the community's faith, perseverance and ability to withstand even the most difficult of times.
The very first church building on this site was erected even before 1516, founded by Gedeonas Rajeckis. After some time, however, this church passed to the Reformed Evangelicals and was abandoned at the end of the 16th century. Later, in the second half of the 17th century, it fell into ruin.
Although the old church had disappeared, in 1742 a new church of spruce logs, with two small towers and sacristies, was built at the expense of Marija Rachelė Gorskienė, wife of the castellan of Samogitia. In 1788 the parish was founded here and registers began to be kept, which survive to this day.
The 19th century and the start of the 20th brought enormous changes for this church. In 1843 the church received 40 desyatinas of land, and from 1901 to 1913, through the efforts of the parish priest Juozapas Kuzmickas, a new stone-masonry church was built, the one we see today. The old 8-stop organ was moved into the new building, and at J. Kuzmickas's expense a presbytery and outbuildings were also built. Sadly, during the First World War, in 1915, two of the church's bells were taken away to Russia.
Despite the hardships and the effects of the war, the community remained strong. In 1920 a branch of the Pavasaris youth movement was founded at the church, and in 1922 Bishop Pranciškus Karevičius consecrated it. Later, in 1938, on the initiative of the parish priest Pranas Vainauskas, the church was covered with sheet metal. During the Second World War, in 1944, the church was damaged, but soon after the war, in 1946, it was repaired through the efforts of the parish priest Kazys Čepulis.
Architecturally, this church is a Gothic Revival building with a rectangular plan. Its facade is adorned with two impressive towers, 53.2 metres high. Inside, the church has three naves and three altars, forming a space of harmonious beauty and peace. The church's crypt is protected by a stone-masonry wall, and in it is buried one of the most important figures in the church's history — the parish priest Juozapas Kuzmickas.
Čedasai Sts Peter and Paul Church is not only a religious centre but also a living witness to history, telling of the community's faith, perseverance and ability to withstand even the most difficult of times.