About the Church
The Church of the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Ceikiniai is a wonderful example of wooden architecture, standing in the village of Ceikiniai, in Ignalina district. This church stands out for its ancient history and its important place in the life of the local community.
The first Catholic church at Ceikiniai was built before 1675. It was a fairly modest building, but already at that time it became an important spiritual centre. Later, in 1773, Mikalojus Šmigelskis set out to renew the church and built a new wooden church. His work was carried further – in 1799 Kajetonas Šmigelskis built yet another church on solid stone foundations.
Although the church burned down more than once during various wars, it was always rebuilt. It was hit especially hard by the First World War, after which the church burned down completely. But the local community was not deterred – after the war the church was rebuilt again, and a parish was established in 1921.
Ignotas Šopara, parish priest at the start of the 20th century, actively urged young people to study and fostered national consciousness, even though he was reported to the authorities for his activities and was even put on trial in 1911. During the Polish occupation various societies operated here, fighting for Lithuanian cultural identity.
The church's history includes many memorable figures, one of them the priest Bronius Laurinavičius, who enlarged the church in 1947. Another notable clergyman was Karolis Garuckas, one of the members of the Lithuanian Helsinki Group, who actively defended the rights of believers. He was buried in the churchyard, where his memory is still honoured today.
Although the church was badly damaged by fire in 2016, the local community came together again and restored this important spiritual space. The church held a valuable cultural monument – a crucifix sculpture, "The Crucified", made in the first half of the 20th century by a folk craftsman.
Architecturally the church at Ceikiniai is notable for its vernacular style. It has a rectangular plan, with a small tower, and inside there are five altars. The churchyard is enclosed by a stone masonry fence, and in it stands an impressive three-storey wooden bell tower.
The Church of the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Ceikiniai not only looks beautiful, but is also a living witness to many historical events and a symbol of the local people's determination to preserve their spiritual and cultural identity.
The first Catholic church at Ceikiniai was built before 1675. It was a fairly modest building, but already at that time it became an important spiritual centre. Later, in 1773, Mikalojus Šmigelskis set out to renew the church and built a new wooden church. His work was carried further – in 1799 Kajetonas Šmigelskis built yet another church on solid stone foundations.
Although the church burned down more than once during various wars, it was always rebuilt. It was hit especially hard by the First World War, after which the church burned down completely. But the local community was not deterred – after the war the church was rebuilt again, and a parish was established in 1921.
Ignotas Šopara, parish priest at the start of the 20th century, actively urged young people to study and fostered national consciousness, even though he was reported to the authorities for his activities and was even put on trial in 1911. During the Polish occupation various societies operated here, fighting for Lithuanian cultural identity.
The church's history includes many memorable figures, one of them the priest Bronius Laurinavičius, who enlarged the church in 1947. Another notable clergyman was Karolis Garuckas, one of the members of the Lithuanian Helsinki Group, who actively defended the rights of believers. He was buried in the churchyard, where his memory is still honoured today.
Although the church was badly damaged by fire in 2016, the local community came together again and restored this important spiritual space. The church held a valuable cultural monument – a crucifix sculpture, "The Crucified", made in the first half of the 20th century by a folk craftsman.
Architecturally the church at Ceikiniai is notable for its vernacular style. It has a rectangular plan, with a small tower, and inside there are five altars. The churchyard is enclosed by a stone masonry fence, and in it stands an impressive three-storey wooden bell tower.
The Church of the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Ceikiniai not only looks beautiful, but is also a living witness to many historical events and a symbol of the local people's determination to preserve their spiritual and cultural identity.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Ceikinių Švč. Mergelės Marijos Vardo bažnyčios centrinis ir šoniniai altoriai.