About the Church
The Roman Catholic Church of St Joseph in Tilža is in the settlement of Tilža, in the Balvi municipality, in northern Latgale. The wooden church belongs to the Diocese of Rēzekne–Aglona and is dedicated to St Joseph, patron of workers; it is considered the largest wooden church in Latvia.
The church was built in 1922–1925, and on 20 June 1925 it was consecrated by Archbishop Antonijs Springovičs. It is a wooden building about 24 metres long and 14 metres wide, on a stone foundation, roofed with sheet metal and adorned with two pointed towers; the wooden barrel vaults are carried on four wooden posts. In 1994 the Tilža church was declared a state-protected architectural monument.
Inside the church stand three wooden altars with paintings by the priest K. Kangaras, and an organ acquired in 1940 still accompanies services today. The Tilža church is an important centre of spiritual life for the local Catholic community and the whole region.
The church was built in 1922–1925, and on 20 June 1925 it was consecrated by Archbishop Antonijs Springovičs. It is a wooden building about 24 metres long and 14 metres wide, on a stone foundation, roofed with sheet metal and adorned with two pointed towers; the wooden barrel vaults are carried on four wooden posts. In 1994 the Tilža church was declared a state-protected architectural monument.
Inside the church stand three wooden altars with paintings by the priest K. Kangaras, and an organ acquired in 1940 still accompanies services today. The Tilža church is an important centre of spiritual life for the local Catholic community and the whole region.