Užlieknės Šv. Marijos Magdalietės bažnyčia

The Užlieknė Church of St Mary Magdalene is a unique and interesting place, well worth visiting both for its history and for its distinctive architecture. This church stands in the quiet village of Užlieknė, near Viekšniai, on the bank of the Šventupys (a left tributary of the Venta).

The church's history goes back to the 18th century, when in 1784 the first chapel was built in this village. However, the present wooden church, which we see today, was built in 1807 on the initiative of the canon Kasparas Bytautas. Over almost two centuries it underwent many changes: in 1857 it was rebuilt, and in 1931 it was moved to a new site – a donated farmstead belonging to Januškaitė.

Interestingly, on 13 November 1931 the whole church building was raised onto round logs and rolled about 300 metres from its old site. This unique task was carried out under the direction of the builder P. Garalis from the village of Medžialenkė. It is an example of how historic buildings can be preserved and adapted to new conditions.

The church was famous for its parish feast, held on 22 July, which used to attract a great many worshippers. In the interwar period various priests served here as parish priest, among them Fr Liaudanskis, Fr Stanislovas Ercius and Fr Kazimieras Vilkickas. The latter two are buried in Užlieknė, thereby symbolically linking their lives to this special church.

At the beginning of March 2007 disaster struck the church – a severe fire badly damaged it. Nevertheless, through the efforts of the local community the church was restored and once again became a functioning church.

Architecturally, the Užlieknė Church of St Mary Magdalene is an example of vernacular architectural forms. It has a rectangular-plan, single-towered building with four altars. The churchyard is enclosed by a wooden fence, and by the gate stands a metal cross made in 1904, brought from the site of the old church. Several objects from this church are entered in the Register of Cultural Property, such as a chandelier, two altars and individual paintings.

A visit to this church will undoubtedly give you the opportunity to feel the spirit of the Lithuanian countryside and admire authentic 19th-century architecture.