About the Church
The Church of St Agatha in Vadaktai is an extraordinary place, whose history and architecture leave a deep impression on every visitor. This Catholic church is situated in Vadaktai, in Radviliškis district, and is distinguished by its Classicist features.
The origin of the church goes back to the 18th century, when a Jesuit mission with a chapel operated here from 1744 to 1773. Later, in 1797, the manor owners Juozapas and Bogumila Juodkevičiai built a wooden church, donating land and money for it. The present masonry church, however, was rebuilt and restored in 1880–1883 through the efforts of the new manor owners, Agota and Zigmantas Liutkevičius. The church was consecrated on 22 May 1890 by Bishop Mečislovas Leonardas Paliulionis.
St Agatha's church has a distinctive architecture. The building has a rectangular plan (20.5 × 12 m), is oriented to the north-west, and has one facade tower and three altars. The church also has an organ made by the Panevėžys master builder Martynas Masalskis. Although the church is in the Classicist style, elements of various periods and styles can be seen in its interior.
An interesting fact is that the mausoleum of the Liutkevičius manor family stands in the churchyard. In addition, in a corner of the churchyard there is a red-brick and stone bell tower with a new bell, donated to the town by Poland in 2018. This bronze bell bears an inscription in Lithuanian and Polish, honouring the writer and Nobel Prize laureate Henryk Sienkiewicz.
It is not only architecture and history that make this church special. For more than 40 years (1957–1999) the parish priest, poet and folklore collector Antanas Valantinas worked here; he was a highly respected member of the community and left a deep mark on the local culture.
Although the church bell was stolen and destroyed in 2013, thanks to the community and international friends it was replaced with a new one, which shows the strong spirit and solidarity of the local residents.
The Church of St Agatha in Vadaktai is not only a house of prayer but also a monument of culture and history, linking the past with the present. Visiting this place, one can sense both peace and the spirit of a deep past, still alive in this small corner of Lithuania.
The origin of the church goes back to the 18th century, when a Jesuit mission with a chapel operated here from 1744 to 1773. Later, in 1797, the manor owners Juozapas and Bogumila Juodkevičiai built a wooden church, donating land and money for it. The present masonry church, however, was rebuilt and restored in 1880–1883 through the efforts of the new manor owners, Agota and Zigmantas Liutkevičius. The church was consecrated on 22 May 1890 by Bishop Mečislovas Leonardas Paliulionis.
St Agatha's church has a distinctive architecture. The building has a rectangular plan (20.5 × 12 m), is oriented to the north-west, and has one facade tower and three altars. The church also has an organ made by the Panevėžys master builder Martynas Masalskis. Although the church is in the Classicist style, elements of various periods and styles can be seen in its interior.
An interesting fact is that the mausoleum of the Liutkevičius manor family stands in the churchyard. In addition, in a corner of the churchyard there is a red-brick and stone bell tower with a new bell, donated to the town by Poland in 2018. This bronze bell bears an inscription in Lithuanian and Polish, honouring the writer and Nobel Prize laureate Henryk Sienkiewicz.
It is not only architecture and history that make this church special. For more than 40 years (1957–1999) the parish priest, poet and folklore collector Antanas Valantinas worked here; he was a highly respected member of the community and left a deep mark on the local culture.
Although the church bell was stolen and destroyed in 2013, thanks to the community and international friends it was replaced with a new one, which shows the strong spirit and solidarity of the local residents.
The Church of St Agatha in Vadaktai is not only a house of prayer but also a monument of culture and history, linking the past with the present. Visiting this place, one can sense both peace and the spirit of a deep past, still alive in this small corner of Lithuania.