About the Church
The Church of Our Lady, Help of Christians, in Skardupiai stands in the village of Skardupiai, about 9 kilometres south-west of Marijampolė, near the Kazlų Rūda–Šeštokai railway. This modest church is closely linked to the history of Lithuania's partisan resistance.
The parish was founded at the end of 1940 from parts of the neighbouring parishes of Kalvarija, Liudvinavas, Marijampolė and Keturvalakiai. Mass began to be celebrated in 1941 in the new church, blessed by Bishop Antanas Karosas; until 1955 it was named after St Joseph. The construction was organised by the parish priest Antanas Ylius, and the two-storey presbytery was built from materials taken from the demolished Marijampolė synagogue.
On 15 August 1945, in the secluded presbytery of this parish, one of the strongest partisan units, the Tauras district, was founded on the initiative of the priest Antanas Ylius. The cross-plan masonry church, built to a design by the architect Romanas Steikūnas, is adorned with three towers and a narrow three-sided chancel.
The parish was founded at the end of 1940 from parts of the neighbouring parishes of Kalvarija, Liudvinavas, Marijampolė and Keturvalakiai. Mass began to be celebrated in 1941 in the new church, blessed by Bishop Antanas Karosas; until 1955 it was named after St Joseph. The construction was organised by the parish priest Antanas Ylius, and the two-storey presbytery was built from materials taken from the demolished Marijampolė synagogue.
On 15 August 1945, in the secluded presbytery of this parish, one of the strongest partisan units, the Tauras district, was founded on the initiative of the priest Antanas Ylius. The cross-plan masonry church, built to a design by the architect Romanas Steikūnas, is adorned with three towers and a narrow three-sided chancel.