About the Church
The Church of St Joseph the Worker in Klaipėda is an impressive Postmodernist-style building, located on the southern edge of the city, in the Varpai microdistrict. This church stands out not only for its architectural style, but also for its intriguing and dynamic history.
It all began on 22 March 1990, when a plot of 3 hectares of land on Smiltelė Street was allocated for the construction of a new church. Already on 1 May of the same year the foundation stone of the Church of St Joseph the Worker was blessed, and Mass began to be celebrated outdoors. Although it was clear that enormous work still lay ahead, the community showed great enthusiasm and determination.
When problems arose over difficult ground conditions, additional land-levelling and drainage work had to be undertaken. A temporary chapel was therefore begun on the site, and its construction was finished in October 1990. In November the chapel was consecrated by Bishop Antanas Vaičius of Telšiai, and it became a temporary place of prayer until the completion of the construction of the main church.
In 1991 construction work began on the masonry Church of St Joseph the Worker. The church's design was created by the talented architects Saulius Plungė, Valdas Janulis and Gintaras Čičiurka. After many years of work and challenges, in 2000, during the great feasts – at Christmas and Easter – Mass was celebrated for the first time in the large church, and from 2003–2004 Mass was held there continuously.
However, the church's history also had its misfortunes. On 2 November 2008 a fire destroyed the wooden church, which by then was already being used as a storeroom, where donations collected by the organisation "Caritas" were kept. Fortunately, the main masonry church was not damaged.
Over the decades construction work did not stop. On 20 August 2010 the church was declared fit for use, although still unfinished. In 2011 the walls were plastered, and in 2012 work moved to the church towers, which were being decorated with ornamental plaster.
Today the Church of St Joseph the Worker is becoming an important spiritual centre in Klaipėda, playing a significant role in the life of the city's residents. Despite all the difficulties that had to be overcome over many years, the church has become a symbol of strength and endurance.
It all began on 22 March 1990, when a plot of 3 hectares of land on Smiltelė Street was allocated for the construction of a new church. Already on 1 May of the same year the foundation stone of the Church of St Joseph the Worker was blessed, and Mass began to be celebrated outdoors. Although it was clear that enormous work still lay ahead, the community showed great enthusiasm and determination.
When problems arose over difficult ground conditions, additional land-levelling and drainage work had to be undertaken. A temporary chapel was therefore begun on the site, and its construction was finished in October 1990. In November the chapel was consecrated by Bishop Antanas Vaičius of Telšiai, and it became a temporary place of prayer until the completion of the construction of the main church.
In 1991 construction work began on the masonry Church of St Joseph the Worker. The church's design was created by the talented architects Saulius Plungė, Valdas Janulis and Gintaras Čičiurka. After many years of work and challenges, in 2000, during the great feasts – at Christmas and Easter – Mass was celebrated for the first time in the large church, and from 2003–2004 Mass was held there continuously.
However, the church's history also had its misfortunes. On 2 November 2008 a fire destroyed the wooden church, which by then was already being used as a storeroom, where donations collected by the organisation "Caritas" were kept. Fortunately, the main masonry church was not damaged.
Over the decades construction work did not stop. On 20 August 2010 the church was declared fit for use, although still unfinished. In 2011 the walls were plastered, and in 2012 work moved to the church towers, which were being decorated with ornamental plaster.
Today the Church of St Joseph the Worker is becoming an important spiritual centre in Klaipėda, playing a significant role in the life of the city's residents. Despite all the difficulties that had to be overcome over many years, the church has become a symbol of strength and endurance.