About the Church
The Basilica of St Michael the Archangel in Marijampolė is the heart around which the whole city grew, and one of the most important churches of the Sūduva region. It stands in the centre of Marijampolė, by the Šešupė, and is closely linked to the Marian Fathers and to the memory of Blessed George Matulaitis.
The first chapel on this site was built around 1717, and the Marian Fathers were invited here in 1750. In 1758 Pranciška Ščiukaitė-Butlerienė built a wooden monastery and church, and the land divided up around it laid the foundations of the town of Marijampolė. After a fire in 1809 and a storm in 1818, the present masonry church was raised in 1819–1824 through the efforts of Father Mykolas Pietaris; it was consecrated on 5 September 1824 by Bishop Augustinas Polikarpas Marcejevskis. In 1882 a facade with two towers was added.
The plastered-masonry church is on a Latin-cross plan, with two towers, a three-aisled interior and six altars. In 1987 a chapel of Blessed George Matulaitis was fitted out, holding his relics. In 1989 the church was given the title of pro-cathedral, and in 1992 that of minor basilica. It is an important place of pilgrimage, included in the Pope John Paul II pilgrimage route.
The first chapel on this site was built around 1717, and the Marian Fathers were invited here in 1750. In 1758 Pranciška Ščiukaitė-Butlerienė built a wooden monastery and church, and the land divided up around it laid the foundations of the town of Marijampolė. After a fire in 1809 and a storm in 1818, the present masonry church was raised in 1819–1824 through the efforts of Father Mykolas Pietaris; it was consecrated on 5 September 1824 by Bishop Augustinas Polikarpas Marcejevskis. In 1882 a facade with two towers was added.
The plastered-masonry church is on a Latin-cross plan, with two towers, a three-aisled interior and six altars. In 1987 a chapel of Blessed George Matulaitis was fitted out, holding his relics. In 1989 the church was given the title of pro-cathedral, and in 1992 that of minor basilica. It is an important place of pilgrimage, included in the Pope John Paul II pilgrimage route.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Foto kadras iš lėktuvo virš Kapsuko (Marijampolės) miesto. Matyti miesto centras, Poezijos parkas, vienuolynas ir Šv. Mykolo Arkangelo bazilika, atpažįstami kiti architektūros objektai. Fotografuota fotoaparatu "Moskva" foto juostoje "Svema"
Atvirukas, nespalvotas. Pavaizduota Šešupė ties Marijampole. Tolumoje – Marijampolės Šv. arkangelo Mykolo bazilika. Atviruką išleido Marijampolės Rygiškių Jono (vienas Jono Jablonskio slapyvardžių) Gimnazija. Kitoje pusėje – lietuvių kalba rašytas laiškas – sveikinimas su Šv. Kalėdom, pranešimas apie sveikatos būklę ir kitus dalykus.