About the Church
The Chapel of St John the Baptist is not only an important spiritual place but also a remarkable story of community and creativity. Located in Kretinga district, halfway between Kretinga and Palanga, this Catholic chapel links the settlement of Vydmantai with the wider religious and cultural context of the region.
The Catholic community here began to take shape in 1996. It all began with services held in the hall of the local culture centre, where Mass was first celebrated on 15 September. This became a significant event, marking the beginning of a new religious community in Vydmantai.
A little later, as the community grew and strengthened, the house of prayer moved to the premises of a former primary school. Members of the community carried out much of the construction and fitting-out work themselves – from renovating the floors to making the kneelers. This initiative reflects not only the strength of their faith but also their sense of community.
On 24 June 1997 Bishop Antanas Vaičius of Telšiai formally established the Catholic parish of Vydmantai, which took the name of St John the Baptist. A blessed cross with a statue of Mary, erected on the site of the future church foundations, became a symbolic anchor point for the community. This work by the folk craftsman Raimundas Puškorius was enclosed by a small fence, and benches were placed beside it, creating a cosy space inviting meditation.
In 2011 the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Vatican issued a decree granting the Vydmantai chapel a plenary indulgence – another important achievement for the community.
On 6 July 2016, at Žemaičių Kalvarija, Bishop Jonas Boruta appointed a permanent parish priest – Fr Karolis Petravičius, who energetically took up parish affairs. He gathered a living community and took charge of plans for the future church building. A poster showing the design for the future church, named after the Divine Mercy, was hung on the chapel wall, giving a clear direction for future plans.
On 28 June 2020 a symbolic ceremony took place – the blessing of the foundations and cornerstone of the Church of Divine Mercy in Vydmantai, with a time capsule laid for future generations. This crowned the long preparations and ensured that the faithful of Vydmantai would have their own permanent house of prayer, which would become a place not only of spiritual strength but also of community gathering.
This story shows how strong faith and a sense of community can build a solid foundation not only for a religious community but also for a broad social network based on mutual help and trust.
The Catholic community here began to take shape in 1996. It all began with services held in the hall of the local culture centre, where Mass was first celebrated on 15 September. This became a significant event, marking the beginning of a new religious community in Vydmantai.
A little later, as the community grew and strengthened, the house of prayer moved to the premises of a former primary school. Members of the community carried out much of the construction and fitting-out work themselves – from renovating the floors to making the kneelers. This initiative reflects not only the strength of their faith but also their sense of community.
On 24 June 1997 Bishop Antanas Vaičius of Telšiai formally established the Catholic parish of Vydmantai, which took the name of St John the Baptist. A blessed cross with a statue of Mary, erected on the site of the future church foundations, became a symbolic anchor point for the community. This work by the folk craftsman Raimundas Puškorius was enclosed by a small fence, and benches were placed beside it, creating a cosy space inviting meditation.
In 2011 the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Vatican issued a decree granting the Vydmantai chapel a plenary indulgence – another important achievement for the community.
On 6 July 2016, at Žemaičių Kalvarija, Bishop Jonas Boruta appointed a permanent parish priest – Fr Karolis Petravičius, who energetically took up parish affairs. He gathered a living community and took charge of plans for the future church building. A poster showing the design for the future church, named after the Divine Mercy, was hung on the chapel wall, giving a clear direction for future plans.
On 28 June 2020 a symbolic ceremony took place – the blessing of the foundations and cornerstone of the Church of Divine Mercy in Vydmantai, with a time capsule laid for future generations. This crowned the long preparations and ensured that the faithful of Vydmantai would have their own permanent house of prayer, which would become a place not only of spiritual strength but also of community gathering.
This story shows how strong faith and a sense of community can build a solid foundation not only for a religious community but also for a broad social network based on mutual help and trust.