About the Church
The Church of St Anne in Šiaulėnai is an architectural gem that has stood for more than a century and a half and is one of the most significant spiritual centres of the Diocese of Šiauliai. This beautiful church, situated on the left bank of the Šušvė, is known for its Romanesque and Gothic architectural features.
The church's history dates back to the early 16th century, when the first wooden church was built through the efforts of Mikalojus Butrimavičius and his wife Barbora. It was a time when religious change was becoming ever more frequent across Europe, and Šiaulėnai was no exception. Indeed, from 1551 to 1612 the place belonged to the Reformed Evangelicals, which also reflects the religious dynamics of the time.
In the early 18th century, as the old church had aged, a new wooden church was built, which stood until 1857. Jonas Šemeta stands out among the events of that year, having built the present masonry church to a design by Fulgentas Rimgaila. Interestingly, although the building was constructed in the mid-19th century, it was not consecrated until 1880, by Bishop Aleksandras Beresnevičius.
The church is also closely linked to important figures and movements. For example, the parish priest Augustinas Kybartas, who began preaching temperance ideas as early as 1841, is one of the significant figures in the history of Samogitia. On his initiative many parishioners gave up alcohol, and after his death the church inherited a large area of land. Mention should also be made of the priest Rapolas Krasauskas, who worked here between 1937 and 1942 and gathered and published a great deal of valuable historical information about Lithuanian churches.
Architecturally the Church of St Anne in Šiaulėnai is distinguished by its two-tower structure and rectangular plan. Inside, the three-nave space is vaulted, giving it a unique acoustic quality and a sense of grandeur. The church grounds are adorned by an openwork metal fence, and inside there are marble altars installed in the early 20th century. There is also a central altar and side altars, an organ and a good many other works of art, including a sculpture of St Casimir.
A visit to the Church of St Anne in Šiaulėnai is not only a cultural but also a spiritual experience, allowing one to feel its deep historical legacy and architectural beauty.
The church's history dates back to the early 16th century, when the first wooden church was built through the efforts of Mikalojus Butrimavičius and his wife Barbora. It was a time when religious change was becoming ever more frequent across Europe, and Šiaulėnai was no exception. Indeed, from 1551 to 1612 the place belonged to the Reformed Evangelicals, which also reflects the religious dynamics of the time.
In the early 18th century, as the old church had aged, a new wooden church was built, which stood until 1857. Jonas Šemeta stands out among the events of that year, having built the present masonry church to a design by Fulgentas Rimgaila. Interestingly, although the building was constructed in the mid-19th century, it was not consecrated until 1880, by Bishop Aleksandras Beresnevičius.
The church is also closely linked to important figures and movements. For example, the parish priest Augustinas Kybartas, who began preaching temperance ideas as early as 1841, is one of the significant figures in the history of Samogitia. On his initiative many parishioners gave up alcohol, and after his death the church inherited a large area of land. Mention should also be made of the priest Rapolas Krasauskas, who worked here between 1937 and 1942 and gathered and published a great deal of valuable historical information about Lithuanian churches.
Architecturally the Church of St Anne in Šiaulėnai is distinguished by its two-tower structure and rectangular plan. Inside, the three-nave space is vaulted, giving it a unique acoustic quality and a sense of grandeur. The church grounds are adorned by an openwork metal fence, and inside there are marble altars installed in the early 20th century. There is also a central altar and side altars, an organ and a good many other works of art, including a sculpture of St Casimir.
A visit to the Church of St Anne in Šiaulėnai is not only a cultural but also a spiritual experience, allowing one to feel its deep historical legacy and architectural beauty.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Verpenos Šv. Onos bažnyčia. Bažnyčia Verpenoje pastatyta 1775 m. 1901–1908 m. statant Kelmės bažnyčią buvo naudojama Kelmės katalikų.
Bažnyčia medinė, santūrių liaudies architektūros formų, stačiakampio plano, vienabokštė, vienanavė.
Šiaulėnų Šv. Onos bažnyčia. Fotografijos aprašymas ant pasporto: „ŠIAULĖNAI. Šv. Onos bažnyčia. Vaizdas iš pietvakarių.“