Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, Telšiai

The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven (Lithuanian: Švč. Mergelės Marijos Ėmimo į dangų bažnyčia) is a Roman Catholic church in Telšiai, Lithuania.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven Švč. Mergelės Marijos Ėmimo į dangų bažnyčia
Religion
Affiliation	Roman Catholic
Location
Location	Telšiai, Lithuania
Geographic coordinates	55°59′0″N 22°15′23″E
Architecture
Type	Church
Style	Neo-Gothic, Neo-Baroque, Neo-Byzantine
Completed	1867
Specifications
Direction of façade	West
Materials	masonry

History

The parish of Telšiai was established in 1536 and it is believed that at that time a church was also built.[1] The church was rebuilt in 1602 and 1700. Due to serious decay, the church was closed in 1815 and demolished in 1831. After the Uprising of 1863, Tsarist authorities built Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas in 1867 in the same location. After the establishment of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Telšiai, Roman Catholics sued the Orthodox community demanding return of the church and the land. In 1932, both the land and the church were transferred to Roman Catholics. In 1935, the church was converted into a Catholic church.[1]

Architecture

Interior of the church

The Church reflects features of Gothic, Baroque and Byzantine Revival architectures. Its floor plan is cross-shaped. The Church has one tower and three altars. The fence of the churchyard is built using stone pillars and wood.

References

1. Kviklys, Bronius (1980). Lietuvos bažnyčios. Telšių vyskupija. I. Chicago: Lithuanian Library Press. p. 308. ISBN 0-932042-50-3.