About the Church
The Church of the Annunciation of the Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Šlavantai stands in the village of Gegutė, about a kilometre and a half west of Šlavantai, in the lake-studded countryside of Lazdijai district.
The first chapel in Šlavantai was built in 1822, but in 1880 it was dismantled and moved to Šventežeris. A new parish life began when, in 1919, Father Juozapas Galeckas bought the Šlavantai manor, and in 1920 an independent parish was established. The present wooden church was fitted out in 1921 from the manor's former barn.
The wooden church, with a rectangular plan, two small towers and an apse, is enclosed by a low stone wall. From 1974 to 1984 Šlavantai's parish priest was Father Juozas Zdebskis, a defender of believers' rights who organised youth gatherings and left a notable mark on the history of this parish.
The first chapel in Šlavantai was built in 1822, but in 1880 it was dismantled and moved to Šventežeris. A new parish life began when, in 1919, Father Juozapas Galeckas bought the Šlavantai manor, and in 1920 an independent parish was established. The present wooden church was fitted out in 1921 from the manor's former barn.
The wooden church, with a rectangular plan, two small towers and an apse, is enclosed by a low stone wall. From 1974 to 1984 Šlavantai's parish priest was Father Juozas Zdebskis, a defender of believers' rights who organised youth gatherings and left a notable mark on the history of this parish.