About the Church
The church of St Bartholomew the Apostle in Druskininkai (Ratnyčia) is an impressive architectural monument, standing in the south-eastern part of Druskininkai, in Ratnyčia, on the bank of the Ratnyčia stream, a right tributary of the Nemunas. This historic place of worship not only reflects religious heritage but also testifies to the rich history of the local community.
The first church in Ratnyčia was built as far back as the 17th century, around 1650, on the initiative of Kazimieras Leonas Sapiega. Later, in 1762, another church was built on this site, which became a filial of the Merkinė parish, and from 1766 a filial of the Parietė parish. In 1784 the Ratnyčia church became an independent parish of the Trakai Deanery.
Over its history the church went through various trials. In 1826 the presbytery burned down together with the church archive. Interestingly, the organist at Ratnyčia was Konstantinas Čiurlionis, father of the famous Lithuanian composer M. K. Čiurlionis. This shows that the church served not only as a place of religious observance but also as an important centre for cultural events.
The present masonry church was designed by the engineer Vaclovas Michnevičius in 1903, though the construction work followed a different design. Father Pranas Bernotas, appointed to Ratnyčia in 1904, built the present church between 1905 and 1910. He also founded branches of the Lithuanian Catholic Temperance Society and the “Rytas” society.
In the history of churches we often find people who made an especially important contribution to their upkeep. In the history of the church of St Bartholomew the Apostle in Ratnyčia, this was Father Antanas Šimeliūnas, who bought the bells and built the altar. Also Father Antanas Gedgaudas, who renovated the parish hall but was later arrested by the Gestapo and imprisoned in the Dachau concentration camp.
This church also has architectural value. It has Gothic Revival features, is rectangular in plan, with two towers. Inside there are three naves, and the churchyard wall is built of stone and brick masonry with wooden posts. Although the church was robbed in 1978, it has still been kept alive and important to the local community.
In addition, the parish also has the St Anthony chapel of Švendubrė, which adds to the religious life of this area.
So, the church of St Bartholomew the Apostle in Druskininkai (Ratnyčia) is not only a religious but also a cultural and historical monument, linking past with present and allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of this region's history and traditions.
The first church in Ratnyčia was built as far back as the 17th century, around 1650, on the initiative of Kazimieras Leonas Sapiega. Later, in 1762, another church was built on this site, which became a filial of the Merkinė parish, and from 1766 a filial of the Parietė parish. In 1784 the Ratnyčia church became an independent parish of the Trakai Deanery.
Over its history the church went through various trials. In 1826 the presbytery burned down together with the church archive. Interestingly, the organist at Ratnyčia was Konstantinas Čiurlionis, father of the famous Lithuanian composer M. K. Čiurlionis. This shows that the church served not only as a place of religious observance but also as an important centre for cultural events.
The present masonry church was designed by the engineer Vaclovas Michnevičius in 1903, though the construction work followed a different design. Father Pranas Bernotas, appointed to Ratnyčia in 1904, built the present church between 1905 and 1910. He also founded branches of the Lithuanian Catholic Temperance Society and the “Rytas” society.
In the history of churches we often find people who made an especially important contribution to their upkeep. In the history of the church of St Bartholomew the Apostle in Ratnyčia, this was Father Antanas Šimeliūnas, who bought the bells and built the altar. Also Father Antanas Gedgaudas, who renovated the parish hall but was later arrested by the Gestapo and imprisoned in the Dachau concentration camp.
This church also has architectural value. It has Gothic Revival features, is rectangular in plan, with two towers. Inside there are three naves, and the churchyard wall is built of stone and brick masonry with wooden posts. Although the church was robbed in 1978, it has still been kept alive and important to the local community.
In addition, the parish also has the St Anthony chapel of Švendubrė, which adds to the religious life of this area.
So, the church of St Bartholomew the Apostle in Druskininkai (Ratnyčia) is not only a religious but also a cultural and historical monument, linking past with present and allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of this region's history and traditions.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Vilniaus krašto lietuviai 1920–1939 m.Ratnyčios parapijos vaikučiai po Pirmosios Komunijos iškilmių. Už jų stovi Ratnyčios kunigas klebonas Jurgis Januševičius Ir šios parapijos mokytojai bei skaityklų vedėjai. Partijos istorijos institutas, Nr.280.2-42.