About the Church
The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Švenčionėliai is an impressive church of the Diocese of Vilnius, located in Švenčionėliai, on a small street called Bažnyčios gatvė (Church Street). The building is of plastered masonry and represents the Historicist architectural style.
The church's history reaches back to the early 20th century, when in 1900 local residents petitioned the authorities for permission to build a chapel by the cemetery. Permission was granted only in 1903, but by then people already wanted a proper church. The priest Jonas Burba was one of those who initiated this idea. In 1906 he set up an altar in his own house, which in time became the basis for a wooden church. The first wooden church was built from a former grain warehouse as early as 1907, and the parish was officially recognised only in 1910.
Over its long existence the church faced more than one trial. In 1929, on the initiative of the priest Ambraziejus Jakavonis, construction began on the present masonry church. By 1940 the walls had been built and the roof covered. Unfortunately, the Second World War and the post-war years halted the construction work.
Tragic events also touched the church's clergy. On 10 May 1942 Gestapo officers shot the parish priest Boleslovas Bazevičius and the schools' chaplain Jonas Naumovičius, who were buried in the Švenčionėliai cemetery. Despite all the hardships, through the efforts of parish priest Bronius Laurinavičius and with permission granted by the Council of Ministers of the Lithuanian SSR, construction work resumed in 1957 and the church was finally completed in 1959.
Architecturally, the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Švenčionėliai has a rectangular plan, twin towers, and a three-aisled interior separated by massive piers. The churchyard wall also stands out for its masonry-and-metal design. Inside the church one can see the high altar, a side altar and many beautiful decorative elements, including a rose window in the gable and various sculptures.
It is also worth mentioning the chapel of St Jude Thaddeus and St Simon in Januliškis, operating within the parish, which further enriches the religious and cultural life of the area.
The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Švenčionėliai is not merely a house of prayer. It is a place where history, culture and community spirit intertwine, having helped it withstand the challenges of time and political change.
The church's history reaches back to the early 20th century, when in 1900 local residents petitioned the authorities for permission to build a chapel by the cemetery. Permission was granted only in 1903, but by then people already wanted a proper church. The priest Jonas Burba was one of those who initiated this idea. In 1906 he set up an altar in his own house, which in time became the basis for a wooden church. The first wooden church was built from a former grain warehouse as early as 1907, and the parish was officially recognised only in 1910.
Over its long existence the church faced more than one trial. In 1929, on the initiative of the priest Ambraziejus Jakavonis, construction began on the present masonry church. By 1940 the walls had been built and the roof covered. Unfortunately, the Second World War and the post-war years halted the construction work.
Tragic events also touched the church's clergy. On 10 May 1942 Gestapo officers shot the parish priest Boleslovas Bazevičius and the schools' chaplain Jonas Naumovičius, who were buried in the Švenčionėliai cemetery. Despite all the hardships, through the efforts of parish priest Bronius Laurinavičius and with permission granted by the Council of Ministers of the Lithuanian SSR, construction work resumed in 1957 and the church was finally completed in 1959.
Architecturally, the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Švenčionėliai has a rectangular plan, twin towers, and a three-aisled interior separated by massive piers. The churchyard wall also stands out for its masonry-and-metal design. Inside the church one can see the high altar, a side altar and many beautiful decorative elements, including a rose window in the gable and various sculptures.
It is also worth mentioning the chapel of St Jude Thaddeus and St Simon in Januliškis, operating within the parish, which further enriches the religious and cultural life of the area.
The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Švenčionėliai is not merely a house of prayer. It is a place where history, culture and community spirit intertwine, having helped it withstand the challenges of time and political change.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Švenčionėlių Švč. Mergelės Marijos Sopulingosios bažnyčia. Fotografijos aprašymas ant pasporto: „ŠVENČIONĖLIAI. Naujai pastatyta šv. Onos bažnyčia, 1959 m.“