About the Church
The Aleksandrija Church of the Crucified Jesus is an impressive monument of Historicist architecture, standing in Skuodas district, in the village of Aleksandrija. This church is undoubtedly one of the most important and interesting religious sites in the region.
The church's history began as early as 1778, when Prince Pranciškus Sapiega built the first chapel in the village of Truikiniai. A few years later, in 1797, the chapel was granted a valakas of land. Over time, the village took the name Aleksandrija, in honour of Aleksandras Sapiega.
In 1862 Bishop Motiejus Valančius permitted the building of a new masonry church, whose construction was overseen by Fr Liudvikas Ligeika. Although building work was banned in 1864, the faithful managed to obtain permission to finish it. The church was consecrated in 1918 by Bishop Pranciškus Karevičius, and it became a filial church of the Skuodas parish.
Architecturally the church displays features of Romanesque and Classicist architecture. The rectangular-plan building with an apse has a single tower, distinguished by its two-tier structure and a tin, helmet-shaped roof topped with an openwork cross. The stone masonry walls are adorned with whitewashed pilasters that divide the facade vertically. Particular attention was paid to the shape of the windows, each made up of three parts and topped with semicircular arches.
Inside, the church is a hall church with three naves. The space is divided into three parts by four massive pillars supporting a flat ceiling. The central nave is wider than the side ones, though all the naves are of equal height. The walls and ceiling are decorated with paintings dominated by yellowish, greenish and pinkish tones. The church has five altars, which hold items of cultural heritage, such as the sculptures of Sts Peter and Paul, a painting of St Barbara, and images of the Crucified Christ and St Francis.
The church also contains a memorial plaque to the altarist Simonas Lopacinskis, who died in 1814. He was a relative and benefactor of Simonas Daukantas.
The church's organ is also of interest, dating from 1850. Although it was made before the church itself was built, its Classicist composition echoes Late Baroque organ cases. The organ has been repaired several times, and its authentic parts, such as the pipes and the wind chest, still survive.
The Aleksandrija Church of the Crucified Jesus is undoubtedly a significant part of the cultural and architectural heritage, reflecting both the religious and historical spirit of the Skuodas region. Here visitors can not only pray, but also become acquainted with Lithuania's rich sacred heritage.
The church's history began as early as 1778, when Prince Pranciškus Sapiega built the first chapel in the village of Truikiniai. A few years later, in 1797, the chapel was granted a valakas of land. Over time, the village took the name Aleksandrija, in honour of Aleksandras Sapiega.
In 1862 Bishop Motiejus Valančius permitted the building of a new masonry church, whose construction was overseen by Fr Liudvikas Ligeika. Although building work was banned in 1864, the faithful managed to obtain permission to finish it. The church was consecrated in 1918 by Bishop Pranciškus Karevičius, and it became a filial church of the Skuodas parish.
Architecturally the church displays features of Romanesque and Classicist architecture. The rectangular-plan building with an apse has a single tower, distinguished by its two-tier structure and a tin, helmet-shaped roof topped with an openwork cross. The stone masonry walls are adorned with whitewashed pilasters that divide the facade vertically. Particular attention was paid to the shape of the windows, each made up of three parts and topped with semicircular arches.
Inside, the church is a hall church with three naves. The space is divided into three parts by four massive pillars supporting a flat ceiling. The central nave is wider than the side ones, though all the naves are of equal height. The walls and ceiling are decorated with paintings dominated by yellowish, greenish and pinkish tones. The church has five altars, which hold items of cultural heritage, such as the sculptures of Sts Peter and Paul, a painting of St Barbara, and images of the Crucified Christ and St Francis.
The church also contains a memorial plaque to the altarist Simonas Lopacinskis, who died in 1814. He was a relative and benefactor of Simonas Daukantas.
The church's organ is also of interest, dating from 1850. Although it was made before the church itself was built, its Classicist composition echoes Late Baroque organ cases. The organ has been repaired several times, and its authentic parts, such as the pipes and the wind chest, still survive.
The Aleksandrija Church of the Crucified Jesus is undoubtedly a significant part of the cultural and architectural heritage, reflecting both the religious and historical spirit of the Skuodas region. Here visitors can not only pray, but also become acquainted with Lithuania's rich sacred heritage.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Mūrinė bažnyčia su portiku ir keturkampiu bokštu užfiksuota trijų ketvirčių rakursu. Bažnyčios fasadų plokštumos suskaidytos piliastrais, tarp jų – arkiniai langai, sugrupuoti po tris.
Mūrinės bažnyčios šoninis ir dalis galinio fasado užfiksuoti trijų ketvirčių rakursu. Bažnyčios fasadų plokštumas skaido piliastrai, tarp jų – arkiniai langai, sugrupuoti po tris.