About the Church
The Chapel of St Faustina, Apostle of Divine Mercy, in Skaidiškės is a unique shrine with a rich history, standing in the old cemetery of the village of Skaidiškės, in Vilnius district. Its origins go back to the 19th century, when the chapel was built by the landowner of Rudamina, Colonel Suchodolejus of the tsarist army. At first it served burial purposes.
The chapel is named after St Faustina, honouring the saint of the Catholic Church, the nun Helena Kowalska, renowned for her visions and her devotion to Divine Mercy. The chapel's front is adorned with the Columns of Gediminas, one of the most recognisable details of Lithuanian heraldry.
At the start of the 20th century the Rudamina manor was bought by Stanislovas Bochvicas, who after his death in 1944 was buried in this chapel. After his family repatriated to Poland, following the Second World War the manor's property was nationalised, the chapel was closed, and it remained abandoned for a long time.
Only at the end of the 20th century did the chapel's revival begin. In 1997 the local branch of the Union of Poles in Lithuania initiated its restoration. Four years later, on 14 October 2001, the chapel was solemnly consecrated by Bishop Juozas Tunaitis, who gave it the name of St Faustina.
In 2016 the chapel underwent another significant repair: the walls were repainted and electric heaters were installed. This allowed the chapel to become not only a historical monument but also a welcoming place of prayer for the local faithful.
Today the Chapel of St Faustina, Apostle of Divine Mercy, in Skaidiškės is undoubtedly one of the gems of Vilnius district, where history, religion and architectural beauty intertwine. Thanks to it, every visitor can feel a deep connection with the past and discover an oasis of peace in the present.
The chapel is named after St Faustina, honouring the saint of the Catholic Church, the nun Helena Kowalska, renowned for her visions and her devotion to Divine Mercy. The chapel's front is adorned with the Columns of Gediminas, one of the most recognisable details of Lithuanian heraldry.
At the start of the 20th century the Rudamina manor was bought by Stanislovas Bochvicas, who after his death in 1944 was buried in this chapel. After his family repatriated to Poland, following the Second World War the manor's property was nationalised, the chapel was closed, and it remained abandoned for a long time.
Only at the end of the 20th century did the chapel's revival begin. In 1997 the local branch of the Union of Poles in Lithuania initiated its restoration. Four years later, on 14 October 2001, the chapel was solemnly consecrated by Bishop Juozas Tunaitis, who gave it the name of St Faustina.
In 2016 the chapel underwent another significant repair: the walls were repainted and electric heaters were installed. This allowed the chapel to become not only a historical monument but also a welcoming place of prayer for the local faithful.
Today the Chapel of St Faustina, Apostle of Divine Mercy, in Skaidiškės is undoubtedly one of the gems of Vilnius district, where history, religion and architectural beauty intertwine. Thanks to it, every visitor can feel a deep connection with the past and discover an oasis of peace in the present.