About the Church
The Church of Divine Mercy in Kalveliai.
In the village of Kalveliai, in Vilnius District, stands a modern and spiritually important shrine — the Church of Divine Mercy. This building is special not only for its architecture but also for its history and significance to the local community. The church belongs to the parish of St Michael the Archangel in Šumskas, and is a place where services are held in both Lithuanian and Polish.
History.
It all began in 1993, when the then parish priest of Šumskas, Darjušas Stančikas, put up a cross in the centre of Kalveliai. It was a symbolic sign, testifying to the future construction of a house of God. After discussions with the local residents and the community of the faithful, it was decided to begin raising funds for the construction of a new church. The district municipality also contributed to realising this idea.
However, after parish priest D. Stančikas had laid part of the foundations, he was transferred elsewhere. Father Vojcechas Gorlickis then came to Kalveliai, continued the construction and successfully completed the project. On 15 October 2000, Archbishop of Vilnius Audrys Juozas Bačkis solemnly consecrated the new church.
2007 became another important date in the church's history. Beside the shrine there rose the first bronze monument to Pope John Paul II in Lithuania. Funds for this monument were collected over several years by local scouts and parishioners. The monument was cast in Poland, but its meaning and value are priceless to the local community.
Architecture.
The Church of Divine Mercy in Kalveliai is the first shrine of its kind in Lithuania. Its design was created by two talented architects: Tadeusz Derlatka from Radom (Poland) and Mečislavas Jagusinskas from Vilnius. The building is of masonry and shows features of the Modernist style.
The church's basement houses funeral halls and spaces for various events. This shows that this shrine not only serves as a sacred place but also plays an important role in the life of the local community, providing space for gatherings and other activities.
In conclusion.
The Church of Divine Mercy in Kalveliai is not only an architectural gem but also a symbol of faith, community and historical memory. It is a place where every visitor can feel closer to God and sense a strong connection with the local community and its history.
In the village of Kalveliai, in Vilnius District, stands a modern and spiritually important shrine — the Church of Divine Mercy. This building is special not only for its architecture but also for its history and significance to the local community. The church belongs to the parish of St Michael the Archangel in Šumskas, and is a place where services are held in both Lithuanian and Polish.
History.
It all began in 1993, when the then parish priest of Šumskas, Darjušas Stančikas, put up a cross in the centre of Kalveliai. It was a symbolic sign, testifying to the future construction of a house of God. After discussions with the local residents and the community of the faithful, it was decided to begin raising funds for the construction of a new church. The district municipality also contributed to realising this idea.
However, after parish priest D. Stančikas had laid part of the foundations, he was transferred elsewhere. Father Vojcechas Gorlickis then came to Kalveliai, continued the construction and successfully completed the project. On 15 October 2000, Archbishop of Vilnius Audrys Juozas Bačkis solemnly consecrated the new church.
2007 became another important date in the church's history. Beside the shrine there rose the first bronze monument to Pope John Paul II in Lithuania. Funds for this monument were collected over several years by local scouts and parishioners. The monument was cast in Poland, but its meaning and value are priceless to the local community.
Architecture.
The Church of Divine Mercy in Kalveliai is the first shrine of its kind in Lithuania. Its design was created by two talented architects: Tadeusz Derlatka from Radom (Poland) and Mečislavas Jagusinskas from Vilnius. The building is of masonry and shows features of the Modernist style.
The church's basement houses funeral halls and spaces for various events. This shows that this shrine not only serves as a sacred place but also plays an important role in the life of the local community, providing space for gatherings and other activities.
In conclusion.
The Church of Divine Mercy in Kalveliai is not only an architectural gem but also a symbol of faith, community and historical memory. It is a place where every visitor can feel closer to God and sense a strong connection with the local community and its history.