About the Church
The Church of St Michael the Archangel in Gargždai stands on the right bank of the river Minija, in the centre of the town of Gargždai. Its origins go back to the 16th century – it is said that around 1535 a church was built here by Queen Bona Sforca.
Over the centuries the church changed more than once: a new church built in 1648 was consecrated in 1671, and after a fire in 1786 it was rebuilt in 1791. The most painful blow came on 22 June 1941, when a fire destroyed the church. The present masonry church, through the efforts of priest Jonas Paulauskas, was begun in 1989, completed in 1990 and consecrated at Christmas in 1992.
The building is a striking example of Postmodernism, created to a design by the architect Vladas Lučinskas. Above the entrance stands a bronze sculpture of St Michael by Algirdas Bosas, and a clock donated by Australian Lithuanians ticks in the 53-metre-high tower. The interior is adorned with marble floors and stained glass by Rimvydas Mulevičius, and in 1997 German Walcker organs, made in Hamburg around 1965, were installed here.
Over the centuries the church changed more than once: a new church built in 1648 was consecrated in 1671, and after a fire in 1786 it was rebuilt in 1791. The most painful blow came on 22 June 1941, when a fire destroyed the church. The present masonry church, through the efforts of priest Jonas Paulauskas, was begun in 1989, completed in 1990 and consecrated at Christmas in 1992.
The building is a striking example of Postmodernism, created to a design by the architect Vladas Lučinskas. Above the entrance stands a bronze sculpture of St Michael by Algirdas Bosas, and a clock donated by Australian Lithuanians ticks in the 53-metre-high tower. The interior is adorned with marble floors and stained glass by Rimvydas Mulevičius, and in 1997 German Walcker organs, made in Hamburg around 1965, were installed here.