About the Church
The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Šventežeris stands in the small town of Šventežeris, Lazdijai district, on the Lazdijai–Seirijai road. It is a distinctive example of wooden Historicist-era architecture, built on the lake-studded edge of Dzūkija.
The history of a house of prayer at this site goes back to 1598, when Jurgis Radvila, castellan of Trakai, founded an Evangelical Reformed church here. In the middle of the 17th century, around 1654–1663, the church passed to the Catholics. In 1871 the wooden church burned down, and in 1880 the chapel from Šlavantai was moved to Šventežeris. In 1882 it was rebuilt into a church — this work was overseen by curate Motiejus Bujauskas.
The present wooden church is composed of three volumes arranged on one axis, decreasing in height in stages. The main façade is adorned with a four-column portico with a tower rising above it, and in the churchyard, enclosed by a metal fence, stands a small bell tower.
The history of a house of prayer at this site goes back to 1598, when Jurgis Radvila, castellan of Trakai, founded an Evangelical Reformed church here. In the middle of the 17th century, around 1654–1663, the church passed to the Catholics. In 1871 the wooden church burned down, and in 1880 the chapel from Šlavantai was moved to Šventežeris. In 1882 it was rebuilt into a church — this work was overseen by curate Motiejus Bujauskas.
The present wooden church is composed of three volumes arranged on one axis, decreasing in height in stages. The main façade is adorned with a four-column portico with a tower rising above it, and in the churchyard, enclosed by a metal fence, stands a small bell tower.