About the Church
The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea, in Šventoji is one of the most distinctive buildings in the northern part of the town of Palanga, having become a true symbol of the town and a mark of its grandeur.
The church's history begins back in the early 20th century, when in 1931 a wooden chapel was built in Šventoji with funds provided and arranged by Canon Jurgis Galdikas. This chapel served the Catholic parish of Šventoji for a long time; the parish's official history began in 1939. The first parish administrator was Fr A. Račkauskas, chaplain of the ship "Prezidentas Smetona".
Before the Second World War, Fr Antanas Valiuška was appointed to Palanga with the task of building a new church in Šventoji. Unfortunately, when the war began, he had to leave for the United States, where he spent many years. Although a new church could not be built in Šventoji during that time, the old chapel remained an important place of prayer and community.
After Lithuania regained independence, the question of building the church was taken up again. Fr A. Valiuška, together with Bishop Antanas Vaičius of Telšiai, began preparatory work. In 1991 the architects Gintaras Aperavičius and Ričardas Krištapavičius designed the new church. Construction began in 1992, and the most important moment came on 28 November 1993, when the bishop blessed the cornerstone.
The construction of the church was overseen by various clergy, including parish priest Vidmantas Gricius. At his invitation, Fr A. Valiuška returned to Lithuania in 1997 and devoted his life savings to the building work. Although he died in 1998, his legacy lives on to this day. The priest was buried in the churchyard, by the wall of the new church, honoured as one of the church's main benefactors.
On 20 June 2003, after Bishop Jonas Boruta of Telšiai blessed the church, the first Mass was celebrated there. From then on regular services were held, although construction work had not yet been fully completed. The finishing work continued until 28 September 2014, when the church was consecrated.
The architectural design of the church is impressive and modern. It is notable for its exceptional height and massiveness, which set it apart from the surrounding landscape. The cross on the church tower, reaching a height of 26 metres, can be seen from afar, even from the Palanga bridge. The height of the church with the cross reaches an impressive 62 metres, and the interior space rises to 23 metres.
The interior is also unique: the altar fresco, created by the artist Juozas Vosylius, is one of the church's main adornments. The monumental altar fresco, the granite altar and the donated organ create a special atmosphere for this place of prayer and reflection.
The square-plan Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament next to the church completes the complex, providing additional space for religious rites and meditation.
The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea, in Šventoji is a gem not only of religion but also of architecture, bearing witness to a strong spirit of faith and community
The church's history begins back in the early 20th century, when in 1931 a wooden chapel was built in Šventoji with funds provided and arranged by Canon Jurgis Galdikas. This chapel served the Catholic parish of Šventoji for a long time; the parish's official history began in 1939. The first parish administrator was Fr A. Račkauskas, chaplain of the ship "Prezidentas Smetona".
Before the Second World War, Fr Antanas Valiuška was appointed to Palanga with the task of building a new church in Šventoji. Unfortunately, when the war began, he had to leave for the United States, where he spent many years. Although a new church could not be built in Šventoji during that time, the old chapel remained an important place of prayer and community.
After Lithuania regained independence, the question of building the church was taken up again. Fr A. Valiuška, together with Bishop Antanas Vaičius of Telšiai, began preparatory work. In 1991 the architects Gintaras Aperavičius and Ričardas Krištapavičius designed the new church. Construction began in 1992, and the most important moment came on 28 November 1993, when the bishop blessed the cornerstone.
The construction of the church was overseen by various clergy, including parish priest Vidmantas Gricius. At his invitation, Fr A. Valiuška returned to Lithuania in 1997 and devoted his life savings to the building work. Although he died in 1998, his legacy lives on to this day. The priest was buried in the churchyard, by the wall of the new church, honoured as one of the church's main benefactors.
On 20 June 2003, after Bishop Jonas Boruta of Telšiai blessed the church, the first Mass was celebrated there. From then on regular services were held, although construction work had not yet been fully completed. The finishing work continued until 28 September 2014, when the church was consecrated.
The architectural design of the church is impressive and modern. It is notable for its exceptional height and massiveness, which set it apart from the surrounding landscape. The cross on the church tower, reaching a height of 26 metres, can be seen from afar, even from the Palanga bridge. The height of the church with the cross reaches an impressive 62 metres, and the interior space rises to 23 metres.
The interior is also unique: the altar fresco, created by the artist Juozas Vosylius, is one of the church's main adornments. The monumental altar fresco, the granite altar and the donated organ create a special atmosphere for this place of prayer and reflection.
The square-plan Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament next to the church completes the complex, providing additional space for religious rites and meditation.
The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea, in Šventoji is a gem not only of religion but also of architecture, bearing witness to a strong spirit of faith and community
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Šventosios Švč. Mergelės Marijos, Jūrų Žvaigždės, bažnyčios paveikslas „Šv. Kazimieras".