About the Church
The Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Šiauliai is a modern and striking sacred building, which has become not only a religious but also an architectural landmark of the city. This church is situated in the Dainai residential district and is notable for its unique design, which blends well with contemporary architectural standards.
The church's history began in 1993, when the first temporary church was established in the former "Nuklonas" cultural centre. This building had been obtained from the city authorities after the "Nuklonas" factory went bankrupt. The unfinished building, with no clear use, was handed over to the Diocese of Šiauliai, where religious services were held for a decade.
In 2006 "Vilniaus prekyba" acquired the plot with the unfinished "Nuklonas" cultural centre, and after the last Mass there, the parish of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary moved to temporary premises in the former Dainai children's polyclinic. Although these premises were temporary, they made it possible to continue the parish's activities until new premises for worship could be built.
Plans for the construction of the new church began after an architectural competition was won, in which the designers Darius Jakubauskas and Andrius Vernys conceived a building resembling two hands joined in prayer. Implementation of the project began with the blessing of the cornerstone in September 2008. The church was built on the site of a BMX cycling track, at the intersection of Lyros and Gegužių streets.
The new church building is made of monolithic reinforced concrete, insulated with expanded polystyrene and clad in panels of light-coloured stone. Inside, laminated timber columns and a wooden vault dominate, and the interior of the church is lit not only by side windows but also by skylights set into the ceiling. Behind the central altar stands a sculpture of the Blessed Virgin Mary, adding a further sense of sacredness.
In addition to the main church building, the ensemble comprises a presbytery, parish house, churchyard, car parks and bicycle spaces. The church also has an integrated carillon, which replaced a traditional bell tower to save costs. The whole site was carefully prepared and raised by one and a half metres to match the level of the nearby park.
On 6 December 2009 the church was solemnly blessed and opened to the faithful. This modern and functional building has become not only a spiritual but also a cultural space, attracting both the local community and visitors to the city.
The church's history began in 1993, when the first temporary church was established in the former "Nuklonas" cultural centre. This building had been obtained from the city authorities after the "Nuklonas" factory went bankrupt. The unfinished building, with no clear use, was handed over to the Diocese of Šiauliai, where religious services were held for a decade.
In 2006 "Vilniaus prekyba" acquired the plot with the unfinished "Nuklonas" cultural centre, and after the last Mass there, the parish of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary moved to temporary premises in the former Dainai children's polyclinic. Although these premises were temporary, they made it possible to continue the parish's activities until new premises for worship could be built.
Plans for the construction of the new church began after an architectural competition was won, in which the designers Darius Jakubauskas and Andrius Vernys conceived a building resembling two hands joined in prayer. Implementation of the project began with the blessing of the cornerstone in September 2008. The church was built on the site of a BMX cycling track, at the intersection of Lyros and Gegužių streets.
The new church building is made of monolithic reinforced concrete, insulated with expanded polystyrene and clad in panels of light-coloured stone. Inside, laminated timber columns and a wooden vault dominate, and the interior of the church is lit not only by side windows but also by skylights set into the ceiling. Behind the central altar stands a sculpture of the Blessed Virgin Mary, adding a further sense of sacredness.
In addition to the main church building, the ensemble comprises a presbytery, parish house, churchyard, car parks and bicycle spaces. The church also has an integrated carillon, which replaced a traditional bell tower to save costs. The whole site was carefully prepared and raised by one and a half metres to match the level of the nearby park.
On 6 December 2009 the church was solemnly blessed and opened to the faithful. This modern and functional building has become not only a spiritual but also a cultural space, attracting both the local community and visitors to the city.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Fotonegatyve įamžinta Šiaulių Švč. Mergelės Marijos Nekaltojo prasidėjimo bažnyčios vidus. Bažnyčia buvo įsikūrusi pastate, skirtame „Nuklono“ gamyklos kultūros namams.
Fotografijoje matomos netinkuotos plytų sienos.
Kražių Švč. Mergelės Marijos Nekaltojo Prasidėjimo bažnyčia.