About the Church
The Church of St Benedict at Žalpiai is unique in its history and architecture, which reflects Lithuanian folk-art traditions. The wooden church standing in the small town of Žalpiai, in Kelmė district, was built in 1928 through the efforts of the priest Izidorius Gudavičius. It rose on the site where a Catholic chapel had previously stood, built around 1814.
The church's history reaches back to when Žalpiai belonged to the Reformed parish of Raseiniai, from 1616 to 1721. Later, in the 19th century, Catholics took the initiative and built a chapel, also acquiring bells and an organ. Until 1907 Žalpiai had no permanent priest, but thanks to the parish priest of Viduklė the first renovation works on the chapel were carried out in 1896. The present church was consecrated on 20 January 1929.
The church has a rectangular plan with a three-sided apse and a low five-sided sacristy. Its structure is completed by two small turrets, and the organ inside has one manual and eight stops. The mechanism of this organ and most of its pipes are authentic, dating from the early 20th century. In recent decades the organ has been repaired, but many of its elements have retained their original form.
Interestingly, in the cemetery opposite the church, on the other side of the street, is buried the renowned organ maker Jonas Garalevičius, who not only cared for the church's organ but was also an important figure in the local community. Also buried here is Stasys Danusas, the first commander of the district's Rifle Unit, who later became a deportee.
The Church of St Benedict at Žalpiai is not only a religious building but also a piece of cultural heritage, testifying to the activity of the local community and its love of faith and tradition. Visiting this church, one can sense interwar Lithuania, the beauty of its vernacular architecture and the spirituality that remains alive to this day.
The church's history reaches back to when Žalpiai belonged to the Reformed parish of Raseiniai, from 1616 to 1721. Later, in the 19th century, Catholics took the initiative and built a chapel, also acquiring bells and an organ. Until 1907 Žalpiai had no permanent priest, but thanks to the parish priest of Viduklė the first renovation works on the chapel were carried out in 1896. The present church was consecrated on 20 January 1929.
The church has a rectangular plan with a three-sided apse and a low five-sided sacristy. Its structure is completed by two small turrets, and the organ inside has one manual and eight stops. The mechanism of this organ and most of its pipes are authentic, dating from the early 20th century. In recent decades the organ has been repaired, but many of its elements have retained their original form.
Interestingly, in the cemetery opposite the church, on the other side of the street, is buried the renowned organ maker Jonas Garalevičius, who not only cared for the church's organ but was also an important figure in the local community. Also buried here is Stasys Danusas, the first commander of the district's Rifle Unit, who later became a deportee.
The Church of St Benedict at Žalpiai is not only a religious building but also a piece of cultural heritage, testifying to the activity of the local community and its love of faith and tradition. Visiting this church, one can sense interwar Lithuania, the beauty of its vernacular architecture and the spirituality that remains alive to this day.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Zalpių bažnyčia,.