Church of Saint Anthony of Padua

It is believed that the church was built in 1529. already was, because Birštonas is called a city. in 1609 the elder is obliged to rebuild the dilapidated church of Birštonas, for which 2 walaks of land were donated. in 1643 the village of Žydeikoniy was donated to the church and obliged to hold services. The former parish became a branch. It is believed that in 1655 the church burned down because in 1674 again obliged to rebuild. 1669, 1717 and 1744 specified branch. in 1782 a cross stood on the site of the church. in 1787 a new wooden church was built. Prienai elder K. Sapiega provided the funds. in 1795 restored parish. 18th century There was a parish school in Biršton.

1900 the project of the brick church was approved (Archit. Vaclovas Michnevičius). Pastor Jonas Karvelis with parishioners in 1900-1909. built the present church. The construction was supervised by the architect Edmundas Frykas. An organ made by the famous Lithuanian craftsman Jonas Garalevičius has been installed in the church.

At pastor Jonas Jonis in 1956. Teofilius Matulionis, bishop of Kaišiadori, who returned from imprisonment in Mordovia, settled there. Birštonas became the seat of the Kaišiadorii diocese. in 1957 in the rectory, Bishop T. Matulionis consecrated Bishop Vincent Sladkevičius. After that, pastor J. Jonys was arrested and exiled to Mordovia for 4 years. in 1958 Bishop Teofilius Matulionis was also exiled to Šeduva.

A graceful neo-gothic red brick church has adorned Birštonas since the 20th century. beginning The small, harmoniously shaped sanctuary is the work of the most authoritative church architect of that time, Vaclav Michnevich. According to historical sources, this is already the fourth church in Biršton.

The first church in Birštonas probably stood as early as 1529, but fell into disrepair because the managers of the residence were not zealous Catholics. When Birštonas passed to the pious nobles of Hungarian origin, Kaspars Horvats and his wife Kotryna Užali, in 1609. King Zygmantas Vaza signed the foundation for the construction of a new church. in 1655 it was destroyed during the wars with the Russians and the Swedes. The third, St. the Apostle Tado's Church was built only in 1787. on the site of the current Jonas Basanavičius Square. It served until the 19th century. end of In 1899, priest Albertas Urbša, who came here to pastor, undertook the project of a new church. A committee of builders was established, donations were collected for the construction of the church, and charity concerts were organized for vacationers. After his death in 1904 construction was taken over by priest Jonas Karvelis. The construction gained momentum when a brick factory was built in Biršton specially for them. Finally in 1909 the church was consecrated and given St. Title of Antanas Paduvietis.

The interior of the sanctuary is decorated with wooden altars created by one of the most famous masters of that time, Adam Karalias, and in the left nave you can see St. Joseph's painting, which decorated the old wooden church in the 17th-18th centuries. The paintings were painted by Nikodemas Silvanavičius, two of his works have been restored and are kept in the sacred museum of Birštonas. Impressive stained glass windows with images of Lithuanian grand dukes for the 600th anniversary of the baptism of Lithuania were created by Vytautas Švarlys and Andrius Giedrimas in 1987. Interestingly, they had to work secretly in garages so that the Soviet authorities would not find out about these works.

It is convenient to arrive by car, it can be parked in the parking lot nearby, the church is easily accessible on foot or by bicycle from anywhere in Birštonas.

St. The mass is offered:
Today, except Monday, St. Mass is celebrated at 6:00 p.m.
on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.