About the Church
The Church of the Crucified Jesus in Micaičiai is a special place where Lithuanian history, culture and faith intertwine. This wooden church of vernacular architectural forms is not only a spiritual centre but also an important cultural site in the village of Micaičiai, Šiauliai district.
The church's history began in 1808, when the parish priest of Kuršėnai, Jokūbas Poklevskis Kozėla, built a chapel with a single altar, adorned with a painting of Jesus of Antakalnis. Despite its modest beginnings, this religious building soon became an important filial church of the Kuršėnai parish. The church was rebuilt in 1857, and in the early 20th century its history was enriched by the priest Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas.
Tumas-Vaižgantas, a well-known Lithuanian writer and public figure, headed the Micaičiai church as its filial priest from 1901 to 1902. His activity was varied – he not only renovated the church but also spread the Lithuanian press and books, keeping banned publications hidden behind the altar. Vaižgantas also gathered material on Laurynas Ivinskis and other important figures of the time, and edited „Tėvynės sargas" and other publications, promoting the preservation of Lithuanian identity.
During the First World War the church was destroyed, but it was rebuilt by the priest Butkevičius. Unfortunately, during the Soviet period it was closed and turned into a warehouse, and the interior suffered severely. The faithful only won back their place of worship in 1989, when it was returned to the community and blessed by the Bishop of Telšiai, Antanas Vaičius.
Architecturally the Micaičiai church is simple, of rectangular shape, with a tiny turret. Its churchyard contains a cemetery, and a memorial plaque bearing a portrait of Vaižgantas, created by Leonas Juozonis, hangs on the wall. Inside the church, carvings once made by folk artists give the place a particular sense of authenticity.
In 2008 the Micaičiai church solemnly marked its 200th anniversary, once again recalling its importance not only to the local community but to the whole of Lithuania. It is a place where witnesses of the past meet the present, where every visitor can feel the power of deep faith and a strong Lithuanian spirit.
The church's history began in 1808, when the parish priest of Kuršėnai, Jokūbas Poklevskis Kozėla, built a chapel with a single altar, adorned with a painting of Jesus of Antakalnis. Despite its modest beginnings, this religious building soon became an important filial church of the Kuršėnai parish. The church was rebuilt in 1857, and in the early 20th century its history was enriched by the priest Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas.
Tumas-Vaižgantas, a well-known Lithuanian writer and public figure, headed the Micaičiai church as its filial priest from 1901 to 1902. His activity was varied – he not only renovated the church but also spread the Lithuanian press and books, keeping banned publications hidden behind the altar. Vaižgantas also gathered material on Laurynas Ivinskis and other important figures of the time, and edited „Tėvynės sargas" and other publications, promoting the preservation of Lithuanian identity.
During the First World War the church was destroyed, but it was rebuilt by the priest Butkevičius. Unfortunately, during the Soviet period it was closed and turned into a warehouse, and the interior suffered severely. The faithful only won back their place of worship in 1989, when it was returned to the community and blessed by the Bishop of Telšiai, Antanas Vaičius.
Architecturally the Micaičiai church is simple, of rectangular shape, with a tiny turret. Its churchyard contains a cemetery, and a memorial plaque bearing a portrait of Vaižgantas, created by Leonas Juozonis, hangs on the wall. Inside the church, carvings once made by folk artists give the place a particular sense of authenticity.
In 2008 the Micaičiai church solemnly marked its 200th anniversary, once again recalling its importance not only to the local community but to the whole of Lithuania. It is a place where witnesses of the past meet the present, where every visitor can feel the power of deep faith and a strong Lithuanian spirit.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Micaičių Nukryžiuotojo Jėzaus bažnyčia ir kapinės. Bažnyčia nedidelė, medinė.
Micaičių Nukryžiuotojo Jėzaus bažnyčia ir kapinės. Šiek tiek kairiau neicentre medinė kapinių bažnyčia. Greta kapinės.