About the Church
The Pajūris Church of the Holy Trinity is a masterpiece of history and architecture.
The Pajūris Church of the Holy Trinity stands in the small town of Pajūris, in Šilalė district, at the confluence of the Nemylas and Jūra rivers. This church is one of the most striking examples of Late Classicism in Lithuania.
The church's history begins as far back as the end of the 18th century, when in 1780 Count Valavičius, the owner of the Pajūris manor, built the first wooden church, which was then a filial church of the Žvingiai parish. However, the church as we see it today began its life in 1830, when the faithful built a new masonry church. Later, in 1898, it was restored and its altars renewed, giving it added splendour and grandeur.
In 1912 the Pajūris church became an independent parish, and just seven years later, in 1919, Bishop Pranciškus Karevičius consecrated it. Interestingly, in 1935 Kazys Nausėda gave the Kretinga Franciscans 50 hectares of land, as well as masonry buildings with a mill, a sawmill and a wool-spinning works. This gift allowed the Franciscans to establish a novitiate in Pajūris, although in 1941 the friars moved to Kretinga, and an agricultural school was established in their place.
One of the more significant moments in the history of the Pajūris church is marked by the priest Klemensas Arlauskas, who served as parish priest here from 1947. His ministry was cut short on 6 February 1949, when he was arrested and deported. Fortunately, the priest returned to Lithuania in 1956 to continue his mission.
Architecturally, the Pajūris Church of the Holy Trinity has a rectangular plan, with a six-column portico and a single tower. Inside it has five altars, which together form an impressive and harmonious interior. The church's churchyard is enclosed by a stone masonry wall, behind which rests Vytautas Sadauskas, who had served as parish priest in Pajūris from 1988.
This church not only serves as a religious centre, but also as a cultural and historical monument, preserving the spirit of the history and traditions of the region and of all Lithuania.
The Pajūris Church of the Holy Trinity stands in the small town of Pajūris, in Šilalė district, at the confluence of the Nemylas and Jūra rivers. This church is one of the most striking examples of Late Classicism in Lithuania.
The church's history begins as far back as the end of the 18th century, when in 1780 Count Valavičius, the owner of the Pajūris manor, built the first wooden church, which was then a filial church of the Žvingiai parish. However, the church as we see it today began its life in 1830, when the faithful built a new masonry church. Later, in 1898, it was restored and its altars renewed, giving it added splendour and grandeur.
In 1912 the Pajūris church became an independent parish, and just seven years later, in 1919, Bishop Pranciškus Karevičius consecrated it. Interestingly, in 1935 Kazys Nausėda gave the Kretinga Franciscans 50 hectares of land, as well as masonry buildings with a mill, a sawmill and a wool-spinning works. This gift allowed the Franciscans to establish a novitiate in Pajūris, although in 1941 the friars moved to Kretinga, and an agricultural school was established in their place.
One of the more significant moments in the history of the Pajūris church is marked by the priest Klemensas Arlauskas, who served as parish priest here from 1947. His ministry was cut short on 6 February 1949, when he was arrested and deported. Fortunately, the priest returned to Lithuania in 1956 to continue his mission.
Architecturally, the Pajūris Church of the Holy Trinity has a rectangular plan, with a six-column portico and a single tower. Inside it has five altars, which together form an impressive and harmonious interior. The church's churchyard is enclosed by a stone masonry wall, behind which rests Vytautas Sadauskas, who had served as parish priest in Pajūris from 1988.
This church not only serves as a religious centre, but also as a cultural and historical monument, preserving the spirit of the history and traditions of the region and of all Lithuania.