About the Church
The Church of St Joseph at Palūšė is a unique monument of architecture and history, standing in the picturesque village of Palūšė, by the eastern shore of Lake Lūšiai. This wooden church, built in the vernacular style, was put up in 1757 and has preserved its original form and spirit to this day.
The initiator of the church's construction, the priest Juozas Baziliauskas (J. Stockis-Bazilevskis), performed a true feat, building the church using only an axe. It is a fine example of how simple means and great enthusiasm can produce a wonderful work of architecture. It is said that not a single iron nail was used in the building – the whole structure is joined with wooden pegs.
The church's exterior is fashioned in the Baroque style, and its plan is rectangular, with a hall-church structure and two small towers. Inside there are three altars – the high altar and two side altars. One of the most striking elements of this sacred complex is the octagonal bell tower, the only one of its kind in Lithuania. Its bells were cast in 1752 and 1772, reflecting the diligence and artistic worth of the old craftsmen.
Besides the bell tower, the churchyard has a two-tier tower-shaped wayside chapel on a two-stage concrete plinth, and the fence itself is made of horizontal logs, adding further charm to the setting. Outside the churchyard walls one can also find the old village cemetery and the protected Palūšė oak, a symbol of the eternal cycle of life.
The history of the church's interior is no less interesting. In the 19th century the organ here was played by Jonas Petrauskas, father of the famous composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis. At that time the church was renovated: it was refurbished between 1815 and 1830, and clad in boards in 1841. The high altar was built between 1886 and 1894, and the interior was painted, giving the church still more beauty and warmth.
Despite many historical vicissitudes, such as the Polish occupation and various bans imposed by the authorities, the church at Palūšė has remained a living part of cultural and community life. The inscription on the church door, "Enter good", "Leave better", invites all visitors, not only the faithful, to share in the peace and spirituality of this place.
It is no accident that this architectural masterpiece was depicted on a one-litas banknote, a symbol of Lithuania's cultural heritage and national identity. The Church of St Joseph at Palūšė is not only a centre of religious practice but also an important historical and cultural asset in the Ignalina region.
The initiator of the church's construction, the priest Juozas Baziliauskas (J. Stockis-Bazilevskis), performed a true feat, building the church using only an axe. It is a fine example of how simple means and great enthusiasm can produce a wonderful work of architecture. It is said that not a single iron nail was used in the building – the whole structure is joined with wooden pegs.
The church's exterior is fashioned in the Baroque style, and its plan is rectangular, with a hall-church structure and two small towers. Inside there are three altars – the high altar and two side altars. One of the most striking elements of this sacred complex is the octagonal bell tower, the only one of its kind in Lithuania. Its bells were cast in 1752 and 1772, reflecting the diligence and artistic worth of the old craftsmen.
Besides the bell tower, the churchyard has a two-tier tower-shaped wayside chapel on a two-stage concrete plinth, and the fence itself is made of horizontal logs, adding further charm to the setting. Outside the churchyard walls one can also find the old village cemetery and the protected Palūšė oak, a symbol of the eternal cycle of life.
The history of the church's interior is no less interesting. In the 19th century the organ here was played by Jonas Petrauskas, father of the famous composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis. At that time the church was renovated: it was refurbished between 1815 and 1830, and clad in boards in 1841. The high altar was built between 1886 and 1894, and the interior was painted, giving the church still more beauty and warmth.
Despite many historical vicissitudes, such as the Polish occupation and various bans imposed by the authorities, the church at Palūšė has remained a living part of cultural and community life. The inscription on the church door, "Enter good", "Leave better", invites all visitors, not only the faithful, to share in the peace and spirituality of this place.
It is no accident that this architectural masterpiece was depicted on a one-litas banknote, a symbol of Lithuania's cultural heritage and national identity. The Church of St Joseph at Palūšė is not only a centre of religious practice but also an important historical and cultural asset in the Ignalina region.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
1 litas LIETUVOS BANKAS PAVYZDYS. Averse rašytojos žemaitės portretas. Reverse Palūšės Šv. Juozapo bažnyčia. Vyraujančios spalvos ruda, gelsva. Vandenženklis Vytis. Parašų faksimilės E. Vilkelis, K. Ratkevičius.
Serijos Nr. AA0000000. Pažymėtas skaičiumi 841.
1 litas LIETUVOS BANKAS PAVYZDYS. Averse rašytojos žemaitės portretas. Reverse Palūšės Šv. Juozapo bažnyčia. Vyraujančios spalvos ruda, gelsva. Vandenženklis Vytis. Parašų faksimilės E. Vilkelis, K. Ratkevičius.
Serijos Nr. AA0000000. Pažymėtas skaičiumi 840.