About the Church
The Church of Our Lady, Redemptress of Captives, in Kairiai is a unique sacred site rich in history, situated in the small town of Kairiai, by the north-eastern shore of Lake Kairiai. This church charms both local residents and visitors with its architecture and history.
The church's origins go back to 1711, when a chapel was built in the Kairiai cemetery after a plague. To this day a memory survives of Pope Pius VI, who on 3 January 1792 proclaimed by bull two annual indulgences for this chapel. However, over time this chapel grew old, and around 1836, with the help of local peasants and M. Zubovas, a new stone-masonry chapel was built on a different site. Interestingly, church furnishings were brought to this chapel from the closed Bazilionai monastery.
In 1904 the chapel was extended, and after the First World War it was already referred to as a church. Unfortunately, it was robbed twice in 1919 by Bermontian troops. Nevertheless, the parish here was only established by 1927.
During the Second World War the church suffered damage. Nevertheless, in 1959 it was rebuilt thanks to the initiative of Vytautas Vincas Radzevičius, a deported parish priest, and funds donated by the faithful. Some of the furnishings were transferred from the closed church in Palendriai. The rebuilding work was completed in 1960.
Over time the wooden structure of the bell tower rotted, and the tower was in danger of collapse. It was shored up for about four years, until it was finally rebuilt in 2011, becoming as much as 5 metres taller than before. The new bell tower has an observation platform offering a magnificent panorama of the Kairiai area. Here rings the old bell, cast as far back as 1789.
Architecturally the church has pronounced Classicist features. It is of rectangular plan, with one tower, and inside has three naves separated by piers. The naves are covered by cylindrical vaults, and the churchyard is enclosed by a stone-masonry wall.
The Church of Our Lady, Redemptress of Captives, in Kairiai is not only a sacred building but also an important historical and cultural asset, reflecting the faith, patience and unity of the people of this region.
The church's origins go back to 1711, when a chapel was built in the Kairiai cemetery after a plague. To this day a memory survives of Pope Pius VI, who on 3 January 1792 proclaimed by bull two annual indulgences for this chapel. However, over time this chapel grew old, and around 1836, with the help of local peasants and M. Zubovas, a new stone-masonry chapel was built on a different site. Interestingly, church furnishings were brought to this chapel from the closed Bazilionai monastery.
In 1904 the chapel was extended, and after the First World War it was already referred to as a church. Unfortunately, it was robbed twice in 1919 by Bermontian troops. Nevertheless, the parish here was only established by 1927.
During the Second World War the church suffered damage. Nevertheless, in 1959 it was rebuilt thanks to the initiative of Vytautas Vincas Radzevičius, a deported parish priest, and funds donated by the faithful. Some of the furnishings were transferred from the closed church in Palendriai. The rebuilding work was completed in 1960.
Over time the wooden structure of the bell tower rotted, and the tower was in danger of collapse. It was shored up for about four years, until it was finally rebuilt in 2011, becoming as much as 5 metres taller than before. The new bell tower has an observation platform offering a magnificent panorama of the Kairiai area. Here rings the old bell, cast as far back as 1789.
Architecturally the church has pronounced Classicist features. It is of rectangular plan, with one tower, and inside has three naves separated by piers. The naves are covered by cylindrical vaults, and the churchyard is enclosed by a stone-masonry wall.
The Church of Our Lady, Redemptress of Captives, in Kairiai is not only a sacred building but also an important historical and cultural asset, reflecting the faith, patience and unity of the people of this region.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Kompozicijoje – Kairių Švč. Mergelės Marijos, Belaisvių Vaduotojos, bažnyčia tarp aukštų medžių.
Signuotas akvarele averso apatinėje dalyje dešinėje ir pieštuku reverse.