About the Church
The Church of St Peter the Apostle in Šalčininkai is a special object of culture and history, whose past links various periods and events of Lithuanian history. The church, located in a small town, has lived through many changes and challenges since its founding.
The first church in Šalčininkai was built as early as 1410, showing that this had long been an important religious community. A parish was also established at that time, becoming a spiritual centre for the local people. It was not only a place of prayer but also a social space where important community activities took place.
In 1523 Jonas Hlebavičius and his wife Ona contributed to the parish's welfare by donating land and other property. But in 1568 a significant change occurred — the church was seized by the Evangelical Reformed. This situation lasted until 1622, when the deputy chamberlain of Vilnius, Jonas Alfonsas Lackis, restored the church and increased its endowment. Nevertheless, in 1655 the Muscovite army burned down this church, but soon after, in 1674, a new wooden church was built.
Life for the church and parish was not easy. In the 18th century a parish school operated here, where children were taught by the organist — showing that the church also had an educational role. A fire in 1812 destroyed the church along with the archive, but it was rebuilt again. In the early 19th century, Lithuanian-speaking parishioners prayed in Polish, and services in Lithuanian did not begin until the early 20th century.
During the German occupation, in the years of the Second World War, the church again suffered severely — it burned down in 1944. Services were then held in the chapel of the Counts Wagner, which was also a modest, simple structure. Later, during the Soviet era, building restrictions hindered the construction of a new church, but in 1992 the collection of donations began, allowing the construction of a new church to start.
Today's Church of St Peter the Apostle in Šalčininkai is a solid masonry structure with two bell towers, reflecting both its historical roots and modern restoration efforts. On its grounds stand memorials to the poet Adam Mickiewicz and the officer Mikhail Wagner. The stone dedicated to Mickiewicz recalls his visit to the Šalčininkai cemetery, while the monument to Wagner honours his death during Napoleon's campaign.
The church's history testifies to the constant persistence and faith that, over many years, have kept this place an important religious and cultural centre.
The first church in Šalčininkai was built as early as 1410, showing that this had long been an important religious community. A parish was also established at that time, becoming a spiritual centre for the local people. It was not only a place of prayer but also a social space where important community activities took place.
In 1523 Jonas Hlebavičius and his wife Ona contributed to the parish's welfare by donating land and other property. But in 1568 a significant change occurred — the church was seized by the Evangelical Reformed. This situation lasted until 1622, when the deputy chamberlain of Vilnius, Jonas Alfonsas Lackis, restored the church and increased its endowment. Nevertheless, in 1655 the Muscovite army burned down this church, but soon after, in 1674, a new wooden church was built.
Life for the church and parish was not easy. In the 18th century a parish school operated here, where children were taught by the organist — showing that the church also had an educational role. A fire in 1812 destroyed the church along with the archive, but it was rebuilt again. In the early 19th century, Lithuanian-speaking parishioners prayed in Polish, and services in Lithuanian did not begin until the early 20th century.
During the German occupation, in the years of the Second World War, the church again suffered severely — it burned down in 1944. Services were then held in the chapel of the Counts Wagner, which was also a modest, simple structure. Later, during the Soviet era, building restrictions hindered the construction of a new church, but in 1992 the collection of donations began, allowing the construction of a new church to start.
Today's Church of St Peter the Apostle in Šalčininkai is a solid masonry structure with two bell towers, reflecting both its historical roots and modern restoration efforts. On its grounds stand memorials to the poet Adam Mickiewicz and the officer Mikhail Wagner. The stone dedicated to Mickiewicz recalls his visit to the Šalčininkai cemetery, while the monument to Wagner honours his death during Napoleon's campaign.
The church's history testifies to the constant persistence and faith that, over many years, have kept this place an important religious and cultural centre.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Šalčininkų Šv apaštalo Petro bažnyčia pastatyta 1835 m. 1944 m. bažnyčia sudegė ir pamaldos buvo laikomos kapinių koplyčioje. Vaizde – gotikinio, XIV a. prancūzų menininkų darbo, dramblio kaulo diptiko fragmentas. Jį bažnyčiai dovanojo dvarininkai Vagneriai.
Aprašė Aldona Rudzevičienė
Šalčininkų Šv. apaštalo Petro bažnyčia pastatyta 1835 m. 1944 m. bažnyčia sudegė ir pamaldos buvo laikomos kapinių koplyčioje. Vaizde – gotikinio, XIV a. prancūzų menininkų darbo, dramblio kaulo diptiko fragmentas. Jį bažnyčiai dovanojo dvarininkai Vagneriai.
Aprašė Aldona Rudzevičienė