About the Church
The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Šķilbēni stands in the settlement of Rekova, in the Šķilbēni civil parish, the Balvi municipality, in north-eastern Latgale. The church belongs to the Diocese of Rēzekne–Aglona and is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.
The first local place of prayer was set up in a converted barn in 1924. In 1934 construction began on a larger masonry church, but during the Soviet occupation the work stopped and the building was abandoned. After Latvia regained its independence, the building was returned to the parish in 1993; with the permission of Bishop Jānis Bulis, construction work resumed in 2006, and on 16 August 2009 the church was finally consecrated.
The church is built in restrained, modern forms; its bell tower consists of four concrete posts with a small roof, beneath which the bell hangs. The bright interior, with its wide windows, is enlivened by the altar set at the centre, where the priest prays facing the congregation. The Rekova church is an important centre of spiritual life for the local Catholic community.
The first local place of prayer was set up in a converted barn in 1924. In 1934 construction began on a larger masonry church, but during the Soviet occupation the work stopped and the building was abandoned. After Latvia regained its independence, the building was returned to the parish in 1993; with the permission of Bishop Jānis Bulis, construction work resumed in 2006, and on 16 August 2009 the church was finally consecrated.
The church is built in restrained, modern forms; its bell tower consists of four concrete posts with a small roof, beneath which the bell hangs. The bright interior, with its wide windows, is enlivened by the altar set at the centre, where the priest prays facing the congregation. The Rekova church is an important centre of spiritual life for the local Catholic community.