About the Church
The Žvingiai Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is an impressive wooden church standing in the small town of Žvingiai, on the left bank of the Jūra. Built in vernacular architectural forms, it is one of the most striking churches of its kind in the region.
The church's history goes back to the end of the 16th century. The first church in Žvingiai was already mentioned in 1588, although at that time it had no resident priest. Later, in 1606, the church received the village of Bikavėnai and established a parish school, which was reopened in 1802 after having been closed. The townspeople, however, repeatedly met with misfortune: in 1775 the church burned down in a large fire. Nevertheless, only three years later, in 1778, it was rebuilt.
The 19th century was likewise no easy period for the parish. In 1871 the parish priest of Žvingiai, Pranas Butkevičius, was exiled to Tobolsk Governorate for taking part in the distribution of banned Lithuanian-language press. Although he did not return to Lithuania until 1881, his activity had a lasting effect on the life of the parish. In 1880 a chapel was built in the parish cemetery, and the church, rebuilt in 1885, was renowned as one of the finest wooden churches in Lithuania.
Before the First World War, the office of parish priest in Žvingiai was held by the writer Kazimieras Pakalniškis. During his ministry the parish was actively involved in the nation's cultural and spiritual life. Unfortunately, the church was destroyed again during the war, and services were held for a time in the chapel of the village of Bikavėnai.
The building of the new church is associated with 1935, when the government allocated timber worth 10,000 litas. On the initiative of parish priest Antanas Braknys, the present wooden church was built between 1935 and 1937, and its fitting-out continued until 1939. During the Second World War the church was damaged, but it was successfully rebuilt afterwards.
The present church has a cross-shaped plan and a tower and a small turret. Its churchyard is enclosed by a stone masonry wall, and the church itself is notable for elements of vernacular architecture that give it a particular character and charm.
Today the Žvingiai Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is not only a centre of religious life but also a place where a rich history and the heritage of the local community are preserved.
The church's history goes back to the end of the 16th century. The first church in Žvingiai was already mentioned in 1588, although at that time it had no resident priest. Later, in 1606, the church received the village of Bikavėnai and established a parish school, which was reopened in 1802 after having been closed. The townspeople, however, repeatedly met with misfortune: in 1775 the church burned down in a large fire. Nevertheless, only three years later, in 1778, it was rebuilt.
The 19th century was likewise no easy period for the parish. In 1871 the parish priest of Žvingiai, Pranas Butkevičius, was exiled to Tobolsk Governorate for taking part in the distribution of banned Lithuanian-language press. Although he did not return to Lithuania until 1881, his activity had a lasting effect on the life of the parish. In 1880 a chapel was built in the parish cemetery, and the church, rebuilt in 1885, was renowned as one of the finest wooden churches in Lithuania.
Before the First World War, the office of parish priest in Žvingiai was held by the writer Kazimieras Pakalniškis. During his ministry the parish was actively involved in the nation's cultural and spiritual life. Unfortunately, the church was destroyed again during the war, and services were held for a time in the chapel of the village of Bikavėnai.
The building of the new church is associated with 1935, when the government allocated timber worth 10,000 litas. On the initiative of parish priest Antanas Braknys, the present wooden church was built between 1935 and 1937, and its fitting-out continued until 1939. During the Second World War the church was damaged, but it was successfully rebuilt afterwards.
The present church has a cross-shaped plan and a tower and a small turret. Its churchyard is enclosed by a stone masonry wall, and the church itself is notable for elements of vernacular architecture that give it a particular character and charm.
Today the Žvingiai Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is not only a centre of religious life but also a place where a rich history and the heritage of the local community are preserved.