About the Church
The Church of St Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist in Veiviržėnai is an outstanding monument of culture and history in Klaipėda district, in the town of Veiviržėnai. This church, built in 1769, has retained its wooden structure and reflects the forms of vernacular architecture with predominant Baroque features.
The church's history is exceptionally rich and colourful. The first wooden church here was built as early as 1639, on the initiative of the elder of Rietavas. After almost half a century, in 1693, the church was rebuilt. Over more than three centuries the church in Veiviržėnai has had to endure both natural and man-made misfortunes.
The new church built in 1769 became not only a spiritual but also a social centre of life. At that time it belonged to the parish of Rietavas, and already in 1795 a separate parish was established. In 1804 a parish school was mentioned next to the church, and in 1806 the village of Dūdinai also belonged to this church. The church was rebuilt in 1882 after years of trying to keep it in a fit condition.
The church in Veiviržėnai was repeatedly ravaged by storms and fires. In 1930, after a storm raged, the church's small tower collapsed, but it was soon rebuilt. Unfortunately, in 1937 the bell tower burned down. In the post-war period the church also suffered hardships: at the end of 1946 its curate, Dr Kazimieras Olšauskas, a former professor at the Telšiai priests' seminary, was arrested. He was sentenced to 10 years in a labour camp.
On the night of 28 July 1982 the church suffered again – vandals damaged the high altar. Despite all these hardships, the church has survived and continues to serve the local community.
Architecturally, the church in Veiviržėnai is a unique building. It has a broken rectangular plan with a small tower and as many as seven altars, which adorn this sacred building. The churchyard wall is of stone masonry, and a masonry bell tower also stands there, further adding to the beauty and historical value of this church.
The Church of St Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist in Veiviržėnai is not only a cultural heritage site of local significance but also an important testimony to the development of religion and culture in Lithuania over the centuries.
The church's history is exceptionally rich and colourful. The first wooden church here was built as early as 1639, on the initiative of the elder of Rietavas. After almost half a century, in 1693, the church was rebuilt. Over more than three centuries the church in Veiviržėnai has had to endure both natural and man-made misfortunes.
The new church built in 1769 became not only a spiritual but also a social centre of life. At that time it belonged to the parish of Rietavas, and already in 1795 a separate parish was established. In 1804 a parish school was mentioned next to the church, and in 1806 the village of Dūdinai also belonged to this church. The church was rebuilt in 1882 after years of trying to keep it in a fit condition.
The church in Veiviržėnai was repeatedly ravaged by storms and fires. In 1930, after a storm raged, the church's small tower collapsed, but it was soon rebuilt. Unfortunately, in 1937 the bell tower burned down. In the post-war period the church also suffered hardships: at the end of 1946 its curate, Dr Kazimieras Olšauskas, a former professor at the Telšiai priests' seminary, was arrested. He was sentenced to 10 years in a labour camp.
On the night of 28 July 1982 the church suffered again – vandals damaged the high altar. Despite all these hardships, the church has survived and continues to serve the local community.
Architecturally, the church in Veiviržėnai is a unique building. It has a broken rectangular plan with a small tower and as many as seven altars, which adorn this sacred building. The churchyard wall is of stone masonry, and a masonry bell tower also stands there, further adding to the beauty and historical value of this church.
The Church of St Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist in Veiviržėnai is not only a cultural heritage site of local significance but also an important testimony to the development of religion and culture in Lithuania over the centuries.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Šv. Apaštalo evangelisto Mato bažnyčia Veiviržėnuose.
Medinė bažnyčia su keturkampiu dviejų tarpsnių bokštu užfiksuota iš pagrindinio fasado pusės. Bažnyčios durys ir langai arkos formos.