About the Church
The Church of St Anthony of Padua in Aukštelkė is a remarkable monument of architecture and history, situated in the village of Aukštelkė, near the roads linking Šiauliai with other towns. This church is a fine example of the Neo-Baroque style, notable for its aesthetic beauty and historical significance.
The first chapel in this area was built as early as 1764 at Aukštelkė manor. Later, in 1885, a masonry chapel belonging to the Šiauliai parish was built through the efforts of Antanas Radavičius. Unfortunately, a storm tore off the chapel's roof in 1903. After repair work in 1905, the chapel stood for some time longer, until it was completely destroyed during fighting in the First World War in 1915.
Despite the hard times, the chapel was rebuilt in 1932 through the efforts of the community and the priest Vincentas Jarulaitis. In the following years, in 1935, it was given 19 hectares of land, and after the Second World War it became known as a church. The church was repaired again in 1967.
The church is of rectangular plan, without a tower, with a three-sided apse. It combines features of both Neo-Baroque and Neoclassical architecture. Inside it is single-naved, giving visitors a particular sense of space.
Buried in the churchyard is the priest Vaclovas Tamoševičius, who came from the Aukštelkė parish and was imprisoned during the war and post-war years. An angel sculpture and a wayside shrine can also be seen by the church, adding to the sacred atmosphere of the place.
The Church of St Anthony of Padua in Aukštelkė is not only a religious but also a cultural heritage site, bearing witness to the strong spirit of the community and its historical past. A visit to this church offers the chance to discover the treasures of Lithuanian architecture and history.
The first chapel in this area was built as early as 1764 at Aukštelkė manor. Later, in 1885, a masonry chapel belonging to the Šiauliai parish was built through the efforts of Antanas Radavičius. Unfortunately, a storm tore off the chapel's roof in 1903. After repair work in 1905, the chapel stood for some time longer, until it was completely destroyed during fighting in the First World War in 1915.
Despite the hard times, the chapel was rebuilt in 1932 through the efforts of the community and the priest Vincentas Jarulaitis. In the following years, in 1935, it was given 19 hectares of land, and after the Second World War it became known as a church. The church was repaired again in 1967.
The church is of rectangular plan, without a tower, with a three-sided apse. It combines features of both Neo-Baroque and Neoclassical architecture. Inside it is single-naved, giving visitors a particular sense of space.
Buried in the churchyard is the priest Vaclovas Tamoševičius, who came from the Aukštelkė parish and was imprisoned during the war and post-war years. An angel sculpture and a wayside shrine can also be seen by the church, adding to the sacred atmosphere of the place.
The Church of St Anthony of Padua in Aukštelkė is not only a religious but also a cultural heritage site, bearing witness to the strong spirit of the community and its historical past. A visit to this church offers the chance to discover the treasures of Lithuanian architecture and history.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Kompozicijooje – Aukštelkės Šv. Antano Paduviečio bažnyčia tarp aukštų medžių.
Signuotas akvarele averso apatinėje dalyje dešinėje ir pieštuku reverse.