About the Church
The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Radviliškis is one of the most important examples of sacred architecture in northern Lithuania. This church reflects not only the long-standing religious tradition of the local residents but also the events that shaped its present form.
Before the present structure, the first church in Radviliškis was built in 1597. It was a modest Catholic church which also housed a parish school. Later, in 1619, the parish was officially established and received a plot of land for a school, a presbytery and an almshouse. In 1769 the priest K. Ausėnas, together with the parishioners, built a new wooden church, which was consecrated in 1789 by the auxiliary bishop Adomas Kościa.
Unfortunately this church burned down in 1868. But only two years later, in 1870, a new cross-plan church with slender turrets was built through the efforts of the parish priest Juozapas Bortkevičius. But the Second World War again struck Radviliškis painfully – the church burned down.
The present masonry church was set up in 1945, the building having been constructed by German prisoners of war. Rebuilding work took place in 1987, when the parishioners and the parish priest Longinas Vaičiulionis had the church's interior and exterior renovated. In 1989 three crosses were erected by its bell tower – a monument to the victims of Stalinism.
The church boasts not only new chancel furniture, an altar and confessionals, but also an impressive organ, brought from Germany and installed in 2000. A major renovation of the bell tower has recently been carried out, and new bells are planned for the future.
Various community groups and social centres are actively at work at the church in Radviliškis. There is a Youth Choir, which celebrated its tenth anniversary, and an Adults' Choir. There is also a family centre, "Caritas", the St Damian youth prayer group, the Legion of Mary and Catholic women's organisations. The work of the pastoral council is likewise prominent and important. Through the joint efforts of the parish and the district municipality, a Parish Community Social Services Centre was established at the church.
Every year the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Radviliškis hosts traditional international festivals for young performers, such as "Polifonija ir aš" and the organ music festival "Vargonų legendos". Other sacred music concerts, literary compositions, pilgrimages and events for young believers are also held here. In addition, a monthly newspaper, "Mūsų parapija", is published.
Architecturally the present church is distinguished by its masonry structure with a basement, although the old wooden churchyard wall was replaced by a metal fence. The surviving five-tiered bell tower in vernacular architectural forms, built in 1876, gives the church historical value and symbolises its long and rich past.
This church is more than just a building – it is a place where history, community spirit and culture intertwine, a constant reminder of the challenges of the past and the strength of the present.
Before the present structure, the first church in Radviliškis was built in 1597. It was a modest Catholic church which also housed a parish school. Later, in 1619, the parish was officially established and received a plot of land for a school, a presbytery and an almshouse. In 1769 the priest K. Ausėnas, together with the parishioners, built a new wooden church, which was consecrated in 1789 by the auxiliary bishop Adomas Kościa.
Unfortunately this church burned down in 1868. But only two years later, in 1870, a new cross-plan church with slender turrets was built through the efforts of the parish priest Juozapas Bortkevičius. But the Second World War again struck Radviliškis painfully – the church burned down.
The present masonry church was set up in 1945, the building having been constructed by German prisoners of war. Rebuilding work took place in 1987, when the parishioners and the parish priest Longinas Vaičiulionis had the church's interior and exterior renovated. In 1989 three crosses were erected by its bell tower – a monument to the victims of Stalinism.
The church boasts not only new chancel furniture, an altar and confessionals, but also an impressive organ, brought from Germany and installed in 2000. A major renovation of the bell tower has recently been carried out, and new bells are planned for the future.
Various community groups and social centres are actively at work at the church in Radviliškis. There is a Youth Choir, which celebrated its tenth anniversary, and an Adults' Choir. There is also a family centre, "Caritas", the St Damian youth prayer group, the Legion of Mary and Catholic women's organisations. The work of the pastoral council is likewise prominent and important. Through the joint efforts of the parish and the district municipality, a Parish Community Social Services Centre was established at the church.
Every year the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Radviliškis hosts traditional international festivals for young performers, such as "Polifonija ir aš" and the organ music festival "Vargonų legendos". Other sacred music concerts, literary compositions, pilgrimages and events for young believers are also held here. In addition, a monthly newspaper, "Mūsų parapija", is published.
Architecturally the present church is distinguished by its masonry structure with a basement, although the old wooden churchyard wall was replaced by a metal fence. The surviving five-tiered bell tower in vernacular architectural forms, built in 1876, gives the church historical value and symbolises its long and rich past.
This church is more than just a building – it is a place where history, community spirit and culture intertwine, a constant reminder of the challenges of the past and the strength of the present.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Senosios bažnyčios ir varpinės bendras vaizdas iš toliau. Bažnyčia pastatyta 1945 m., perstatyta 1987 m.
Radviliškio bažnyčia su varpine.