About the Church
The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Paringys is one of those historic buildings that not only radiates architectural grandeur but also conceals many tragic and striking events of the past. This church stands in the village of Paringys, beside the beautiful Lake Ringys, and is a fine example of the Classicist style.
The church's history begins as early as the 17th century, when around 1620 a small chapel was built, in which a sculpture of the Crucified Jesus was kept. This chapel became a local focus of devotion, and later, around 1745, a wooden chapel was built on its site.
In 1819 the wooden chapel was replaced by a new stone-built chapel with an altar and an assigned priest. Unfortunately, this chapel became the scene of a tragedy. On 25 June 1837, during the parish feast, a burning candle from the altar set fire to a curtain, whose sparks then set fire to linen. The fire spread quickly, causing panic among those gathered. As many as 289 people died in the fire, including three priests. Only a small number – about 50 people – managed to escape. After this tragedy, in 1838 the chapel was repaired and reconsecrated.
From 1863 the chapel operated without a permanent priest, but after the First World War a school of the Rytas society was established here. A parish was founded in 1921, and through the efforts of the parish priest Jonas Ramelis the church was repaired in 1933. At that time a small tower was added and a wooden sacristy built on. At the priest's initiative a branch of the Society of St Casimir was also founded and a parish choir formed.
The church has Classicist features: it has a rectangular plan, with a four-column portico and a small tower. Side chapels give it a distinctive shape. A single-storey bell tower stands in the churchyard, and the fence is of masonry and metal.
The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Paringys is undoubtedly not only a place of religious importance but also a historical monument, bearing witness to the strength and endurance of the local community through the most difficult of times.
The church's history begins as early as the 17th century, when around 1620 a small chapel was built, in which a sculpture of the Crucified Jesus was kept. This chapel became a local focus of devotion, and later, around 1745, a wooden chapel was built on its site.
In 1819 the wooden chapel was replaced by a new stone-built chapel with an altar and an assigned priest. Unfortunately, this chapel became the scene of a tragedy. On 25 June 1837, during the parish feast, a burning candle from the altar set fire to a curtain, whose sparks then set fire to linen. The fire spread quickly, causing panic among those gathered. As many as 289 people died in the fire, including three priests. Only a small number – about 50 people – managed to escape. After this tragedy, in 1838 the chapel was repaired and reconsecrated.
From 1863 the chapel operated without a permanent priest, but after the First World War a school of the Rytas society was established here. A parish was founded in 1921, and through the efforts of the parish priest Jonas Ramelis the church was repaired in 1933. At that time a small tower was added and a wooden sacristy built on. At the priest's initiative a branch of the Society of St Casimir was also founded and a parish choir formed.
The church has Classicist features: it has a rectangular plan, with a four-column portico and a small tower. Side chapels give it a distinctive shape. A single-storey bell tower stands in the churchyard, and the fence is of masonry and metal.
The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Paringys is undoubtedly not only a place of religious importance but also a historical monument, bearing witness to the strength and endurance of the local community through the most difficult of times.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Kompozicijoje – Paringio Švč. Jėzaus Širdies bažnyčia.
Signuotas akvarele averso apatinėje dalyje dešinėje ir pieštuku revreso viršutinėje dalyje.
Kompozicijoje – Paringio Švč. Jėzaus Širdies bažnyčia.
Signuotas akvarele averso apatinėje dalyje kairėje ir pieštuku revreso viršutinėje dalyje kairėje.