About the Church
The Church of the Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Polekėlė is not just a religious building but a living history, bearing witness to the faith and the twists of life of the people of the Samogitian region. This church stands in the small village of Polekėlė, just 2 km south-east of Tyruliai.
The church's history begins as early as the 18th century, when in 1791 Jurgis Daujotas generously donated 10,000 gold coins and two margas of land so that the first church could be built. At first it was a chapel, serving as a filial church of the parish of Šiaulėnai. In 1820 its timbers were replaced owing to wear. To commemorate the founder's family, the church was named Daujotava. Only in 1924 did it officially receive the name we know today.
The parish was established in 1930, and the first parish priest of Polekėlė, Oželis, who served here for as long as 35 years, initiated major repair work on the church. Unfortunately, on 2 March 1939 the church burned down, and only the wooden bell tower remained. Construction of a new masonry church was begun but halted during the war, and was finally completed in 1977 thanks to the priest Jonas Babonas.
Architecturally, the church in Polekėlė has a rectangular plan with an elegant small turret. Its building material – plastered masonry – gives it a sense of solidity and durability. Although from the outside it looks simple and modest, inside it hides many stories and secrets awaiting patient researchers.
The Church of the Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Polekėlė is not only a house of prayer but also an important gathering place for the community. Here the legacy of the past meets the present, and every visitor can feel part of this special history.
The church's history begins as early as the 18th century, when in 1791 Jurgis Daujotas generously donated 10,000 gold coins and two margas of land so that the first church could be built. At first it was a chapel, serving as a filial church of the parish of Šiaulėnai. In 1820 its timbers were replaced owing to wear. To commemorate the founder's family, the church was named Daujotava. Only in 1924 did it officially receive the name we know today.
The parish was established in 1930, and the first parish priest of Polekėlė, Oželis, who served here for as long as 35 years, initiated major repair work on the church. Unfortunately, on 2 March 1939 the church burned down, and only the wooden bell tower remained. Construction of a new masonry church was begun but halted during the war, and was finally completed in 1977 thanks to the priest Jonas Babonas.
Architecturally, the church in Polekėlė has a rectangular plan with an elegant small turret. Its building material – plastered masonry – gives it a sense of solidity and durability. Although from the outside it looks simple and modest, inside it hides many stories and secrets awaiting patient researchers.
The Church of the Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Polekėlė is not only a house of prayer but also an important gathering place for the community. Here the legacy of the past meets the present, and every visitor can feel part of this special history.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Fotografiniame atvaizde užfiksuota bažnyčia ir varpinė trijų ketvirčių rakursu. Sakralinių pastatų fasadai apkalti vertikaliomis lentomis, stogai dengti skiedromis. Bažnyčios fasaduose ir bokšto sienose langų stiklai sudalinti į dvylika ir daugiau dalių. Bokšto stogas piramidės formos, su smaile ir kryžiumi viršūnėje.
Bažnytinė procesija prie Švč. Mergelės Marijos Širdies bažnyčios Polekėlės kaime (Radviliškio r.).