About the Church
The Church of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy, in Norviliškės is a special place with a long and colourful history. The village of Norviliškės, located in Šalčininkai District right on the border with Belarus, became the home of this remarkable church. The church was built in 1929, but its roots go back almost four centuries.
As strange as it may seem, the first wooden church in Norviliškės was built as early as the start of the 17th century, when Darata Zenovičiūtė-Šorcienė granted the lands she owned to the Franciscans. Together with the church a monastery was founded, which became an important centre of cultural and religious activity in the region. Over many years the Franciscans built new churches and established parishes and schools. In 1745 they built a second church, and by 1797 a parish school is already recorded.
Unfortunately, in 1832 the tsarist authorities closed the monastery and the church, and demolished the latter. Materials from the dismantled church were used to build the Orthodox church in Alšėnai and the barracks in Norviliškės. But despite these difficulties, the local community did not lose hope. In 1929 the present church was built with funds from the parishioners of Surviliškės.
The church has a complex configuration: a single tower, a five-sided apse and a turret. The central nave is twice as high as the side ones, giving the building a distinctive architectural appearance. The church also displays features of the Zakopane style, characteristic of the wooden architecture of the Carpathian region. Beside the church stands a masonry bell tower dating from the mid-17th century.
Although services in the church in Norviliškės are held only in Polish, this place attracts not only local residents but also tourists and pilgrims from various countries. The church not only preserves old traditions but also recalls the long and complex history of the region. Despite all the challenges, the Church of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy, in Norviliškės continues to remain an important spiritual source and cultural heritage.
As strange as it may seem, the first wooden church in Norviliškės was built as early as the start of the 17th century, when Darata Zenovičiūtė-Šorcienė granted the lands she owned to the Franciscans. Together with the church a monastery was founded, which became an important centre of cultural and religious activity in the region. Over many years the Franciscans built new churches and established parishes and schools. In 1745 they built a second church, and by 1797 a parish school is already recorded.
Unfortunately, in 1832 the tsarist authorities closed the monastery and the church, and demolished the latter. Materials from the dismantled church were used to build the Orthodox church in Alšėnai and the barracks in Norviliškės. But despite these difficulties, the local community did not lose hope. In 1929 the present church was built with funds from the parishioners of Surviliškės.
The church has a complex configuration: a single tower, a five-sided apse and a turret. The central nave is twice as high as the side ones, giving the building a distinctive architectural appearance. The church also displays features of the Zakopane style, characteristic of the wooden architecture of the Carpathian region. Beside the church stands a masonry bell tower dating from the mid-17th century.
Although services in the church in Norviliškės are held only in Polish, this place attracts not only local residents but also tourists and pilgrims from various countries. The church not only preserves old traditions but also recalls the long and complex history of the region. Despite all the challenges, the Church of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy, in Norviliškės continues to remain an important spiritual source and cultural heritage.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Kompozicijoje – Norviliškių Švč. Mergelės Marijos, Gailestingumo Motinos, bažnyčia.
Signuotas akvarele averso apatinėje dalyje dešinėje autoriaus parašu ir data: „78“, reverse pieštuku: „NARVELIŠKĖS / 1978. X. 23“
Norviliškių Švč. Mergelės Marijos, Gailestingumo Motinos, bažnyčia.
Signuotas akvarele averso apatinėje dalyje kairėje autoriaus parašu ir data: „78“, reverse pieštuku: „NARVELIŠKĖS / 1978. X. 23“