About the Church
The Chapel of Our Lord Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd in Vėliučionys is a distinctive place with an interesting and varied history. Standing in Vėliučionys, in the Šatrininkai eldership, in Vilnius district, this chapel draws attention not only for its architecture but also for its rich past.
It is worth noting first that this masonry chapel was built in the 19th century and initially served as an Orthodox church in the time of the Russian Empire. This testifies to the political and religious processes then under way in the Vilnius region, when many Catholic houses of prayer were converted into Orthodox churches. During the Soviet period the chapel in Vėliučionys likewise had to endure more than one change: the building was used as a shop. This is a typical fate for religious architecture of the Soviet period, when many shrines were nationalised and adapted for secular purposes.
With the restoration of independence the chapel regained its sacred role, and it now belongs to the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, in Naujoji Vilnia. Mass here is held on Sundays in both Lithuanian and Polish, reflecting the multiculturalism of the Vilnius region and the friendship and unity of its different communities.
Architecturally, the chapel in Vėliučionys is a fine example of 19th-century plastered masonry building. Its facade and interior, though simple, have a particular charm. The rear facade is especially notable for its subtle proportions and decorative elements, which speak to the aesthetic sensibility and skill of the craftsmen of the time.
The setting of the chapel is also very pleasant – it stands on Liepų Avenue, where peace and natural beauty prevail. The nearby road 101, connecting Vilnius with the small town of Šumskas, and the lane 5232, leading from Šiaudinė to Vėliučionys, make this spiritual place easy to reach.
The Chapel of Our Lord Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd in Vėliučionys is thus not only a religious but also a cultural asset. It is a witness to various eras and their changes, standing firm as a symbol of the faith and spiritual endurance of our ancestors.
It is worth noting first that this masonry chapel was built in the 19th century and initially served as an Orthodox church in the time of the Russian Empire. This testifies to the political and religious processes then under way in the Vilnius region, when many Catholic houses of prayer were converted into Orthodox churches. During the Soviet period the chapel in Vėliučionys likewise had to endure more than one change: the building was used as a shop. This is a typical fate for religious architecture of the Soviet period, when many shrines were nationalised and adapted for secular purposes.
With the restoration of independence the chapel regained its sacred role, and it now belongs to the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, in Naujoji Vilnia. Mass here is held on Sundays in both Lithuanian and Polish, reflecting the multiculturalism of the Vilnius region and the friendship and unity of its different communities.
Architecturally, the chapel in Vėliučionys is a fine example of 19th-century plastered masonry building. Its facade and interior, though simple, have a particular charm. The rear facade is especially notable for its subtle proportions and decorative elements, which speak to the aesthetic sensibility and skill of the craftsmen of the time.
The setting of the chapel is also very pleasant – it stands on Liepų Avenue, where peace and natural beauty prevail. The nearby road 101, connecting Vilnius with the small town of Šumskas, and the lane 5232, leading from Šiaudinė to Vėliučionys, make this spiritual place easy to reach.
The Chapel of Our Lord Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd in Vėliučionys is thus not only a religious but also a cultural asset. It is a witness to various eras and their changes, standing firm as a symbol of the faith and spiritual endurance of our ancestors.