About the Church
The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Šimonys is an impressive example of wooden architecture, located in the small town of Šimonys in the Kupiškis district. This church not only reflects the faith and spirituality of the local community but also has a rich and colourful history.
The first religious buildings in Šimonys appeared as early as the 17th century. A chapel is recorded in 1669, and just two years later, in 1671, Bishop Mikalojus Steponas Pacas consecrated a newly built church. He also donated a painting dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, a chasuble and a silver chalice. This gesture further strengthened the church's importance for local residents and pilgrims, as the recording of remarkable healings began.
In the late 18th century the priest K. Sveitkauskis arranged for the old church to be replaced with a new, octagonal structure with three altars. In the early 19th century the parish priest Vladislovas Bareika enlarged the church still further, building a bell tower and hanging four bells. At that time a parish school was also active in Šimonys, where the prominent Lithuanian cultural figure and poet Antanas Strazdas served as priest.
However, the early 20th century was merciless to the church. During the First World War, in 1915, the church burned down along with the presbytery, and the bell tower was blown up. Two bells were taken to Russia, and the other two melted. Services were temporarily held in the school hall, until, thanks to the parish priest J. Norvila, the present wooden church was built in 1920. A year later an organ, moved here from Troškūnai, was installed.
Over the following decades the church was continually beautified and maintained. The parish priest Jurgis Martinaitis saw to the decoration of the interior, the installation of new altars and the purchase of bells. On his initiative a parish hall, a statue of the Mother of God and a curate's house were built.
Architecturally, the church stands as a rectangular-plan, single-tower building with a small turret and a three-sided apse. Inside there are three aisles and the same number of altars. The stone wall surrounding the churchyard adds further charm and a sense of solidity.
The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Šimonys is not only a significant place of Catholic pilgrimage in the Diocese of Panevėžys, but also a living witness to the local community's long history, its spirituality, and a guardian of its cultural heritage values.
The first religious buildings in Šimonys appeared as early as the 17th century. A chapel is recorded in 1669, and just two years later, in 1671, Bishop Mikalojus Steponas Pacas consecrated a newly built church. He also donated a painting dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, a chasuble and a silver chalice. This gesture further strengthened the church's importance for local residents and pilgrims, as the recording of remarkable healings began.
In the late 18th century the priest K. Sveitkauskis arranged for the old church to be replaced with a new, octagonal structure with three altars. In the early 19th century the parish priest Vladislovas Bareika enlarged the church still further, building a bell tower and hanging four bells. At that time a parish school was also active in Šimonys, where the prominent Lithuanian cultural figure and poet Antanas Strazdas served as priest.
However, the early 20th century was merciless to the church. During the First World War, in 1915, the church burned down along with the presbytery, and the bell tower was blown up. Two bells were taken to Russia, and the other two melted. Services were temporarily held in the school hall, until, thanks to the parish priest J. Norvila, the present wooden church was built in 1920. A year later an organ, moved here from Troškūnai, was installed.
Over the following decades the church was continually beautified and maintained. The parish priest Jurgis Martinaitis saw to the decoration of the interior, the installation of new altars and the purchase of bells. On his initiative a parish hall, a statue of the Mother of God and a curate's house were built.
Architecturally, the church stands as a rectangular-plan, single-tower building with a small turret and a three-sided apse. Inside there are three aisles and the same number of altars. The stone wall surrounding the churchyard adds further charm and a sense of solidity.
The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Šimonys is not only a significant place of Catholic pilgrimage in the Diocese of Panevėžys, but also a living witness to the local community's long history, its spirituality, and a guardian of its cultural heritage values.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Šimonių miestelio vaizdas. Negatyve matoma Šimonių Švč. Mergelės Marijos Ėmimo į dangų bažnyčia.
Fotografijoje matyti gyvenamieji ir ūkinės paskirties pastatai bei medinė Šimonių Švč. Mergelės Marijos Ėmimo į dangų bažnyčia (tebestovinti iki šiol). Bažnyčia pastatyta 1920 m., vietoje 1779-1915 m. stovėjusios bei varpinę su keturiais varpais turėjusios bažnyčios.