About the Church
The Židikai Church of St John the Baptist, in the small town of Židikai, not only invites the faithful to prayer but also impresses with its rich history and architectural features.
The history of the Židikai church goes back to the 17th century, when in 1614 Židikai was granted to the Jesuit College of Kražiai. Around 1636 Kristupas Timinskis built the first wooden chapel, which later became a filial church of Pikeliai parish. Since then a Jesuit mission has operated in Židikai, thanks to which the town's religious life flourished.
The present stone-masonry church was built in 1819–1821. Features of Classicist structure and Romantic architecture give the building particular charm. The church has a rectangular plan and no tower, so its silhouette blends harmoniously into its surroundings. One distinctive element is the wooden bell tower standing beside it, which holds the oldest bell in Mažeikiai district, cast as early as 1651.
It is interesting that the Židikai church has a unique organ, into which is built the only known mechanical drum in Lithuania. This instrument not only adorns the interior but also gives a special sound to the Mass and to the sacred music concerts that have been held here every year since 2009.
The interior of the church is also worth attention. The main altar is adorned with a painting of St John the Baptist, while the side altars display images and sculptures of other saints. The altars are decorated with 18th-century garment fittings, and according to Prof. A. Aleksandravičiūtė, the church contains rare angel sculptures from the first half of the 17th century, of which only about 30 survive in the whole of Lithuania.
Over the course of its existence the church has lived through many changes: from the prohibition of services in the mid-19th century to the trials of the Soviet era. Despite everything, it has remained an important centre drawing the Židikai community together. The parish feasts of St John the Baptist and St Anne bring together local residents and visitors for common prayer and celebration.
Without doubt, the Židikai Church of St John the Baptist is part not only of religious life but also of cultural heritage. Events held there regularly, such as the sacred-music festival "Musica Divina", draw art lovers from across Lithuania and abroad, enriching the cultural life of the area.
The history of the Židikai church goes back to the 17th century, when in 1614 Židikai was granted to the Jesuit College of Kražiai. Around 1636 Kristupas Timinskis built the first wooden chapel, which later became a filial church of Pikeliai parish. Since then a Jesuit mission has operated in Židikai, thanks to which the town's religious life flourished.
The present stone-masonry church was built in 1819–1821. Features of Classicist structure and Romantic architecture give the building particular charm. The church has a rectangular plan and no tower, so its silhouette blends harmoniously into its surroundings. One distinctive element is the wooden bell tower standing beside it, which holds the oldest bell in Mažeikiai district, cast as early as 1651.
It is interesting that the Židikai church has a unique organ, into which is built the only known mechanical drum in Lithuania. This instrument not only adorns the interior but also gives a special sound to the Mass and to the sacred music concerts that have been held here every year since 2009.
The interior of the church is also worth attention. The main altar is adorned with a painting of St John the Baptist, while the side altars display images and sculptures of other saints. The altars are decorated with 18th-century garment fittings, and according to Prof. A. Aleksandravičiūtė, the church contains rare angel sculptures from the first half of the 17th century, of which only about 30 survive in the whole of Lithuania.
Over the course of its existence the church has lived through many changes: from the prohibition of services in the mid-19th century to the trials of the Soviet era. Despite everything, it has remained an important centre drawing the Židikai community together. The parish feasts of St John the Baptist and St Anne bring together local residents and visitors for common prayer and celebration.
Without doubt, the Židikai Church of St John the Baptist is part not only of religious life but also of cultural heritage. Events held there regularly, such as the sacred-music festival "Musica Divina", draw art lovers from across Lithuania and abroad, enriching the cultural life of the area.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Arūno Paslaičio piešinyje užfiksuota dabartinė Židikų Šv. Jono Krikštytojo bažnyčia, pastatyta 1821 m. Anuomet ji tebuvo Pikelių parapijos filija. Atskira Židikų parapija įsteigta 1853 m.
Bažnyčia, pridengta šventoriaus medžių lajomis, nufotografuota kartu su varpine ir šventoriaus tvora bei vartais.