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Kalnujai St. Victor Church

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Kalnujai St. Victor Church is a Catholic church located in Kalnujai village, Raseiniai District, near Road 146 Raseiniai–Šilinė and 1 km south of the A1 highway. The church stands beside the ruins of an old brick sanctuary.

The first chapel in Kalnujai was built before 1801, and between 1815 and 1818, a stone masonry church was constructed, serving as a filial of the Raseiniai parish. During World War II, in 1944, the church was destroyed. In 1946, a temporary wooden church was established for the faithful, which was renovated in 2007–2008.

The church has a single nave, one altar, a balcony, and a small bell salvaged from the ruins of the old sanctuary. In the churchyard, there is a carved wooden cross and a belfry with a raised tower. In 2018, the church's 200th anniversary was solemnly commemorated.

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Kalnujai St. Victor Church is a Catholic sanctuary located in Kalnujai village, Raseiniai District. It stands near Road 146 Raseiniai–Šilinė, just 1 km south of Lithuania’s main A1 highway (Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda). The church is situated on a small hill near the village cemetery, where the ruins of the old brick church remain to this day. The Kalnujai St. Victor Parish borders the parishes of Raseiniai, Girkalnis, Šimkaičiai, Vadžgirys, and Paupys. The first place of worship in Kalnujai—a wooden chapel—was built before 1801 to serve the local Catholic community. However, as the population grew, the chapel could no longer accommodate its needs. Between 1815 and 1818, a stone masonry church was constructed on the northern outskirts of the village. It became a filial of the Raseiniai parish and was allocated one valakas of land. In 1841, the serving priest, Kazimieras Baracevičius, received an annual salary of 81 rubles. By 1938, the Kalnujai filial parish had 2,691 Catholics. During World War II, in August 1944, the church was destroyed amid fierce battles between German troops and the Red Army. The Germans had fortified themselves inside

the sanctuary, but Soviet artillery bombarded it, reducing the building to ruins. Despite the devastation, in 1946, local believers repurposed a wooden residential house for temporary religious services. A cross was installed on its ridge, and a modest altar was placed inside. Between 2007 and 2008, the church underwent renovation, restoring its sacred appearance. On August 12, 2018, the parish community solemnly celebrated the church’s 200th anniversary. Today, Kalnujai St. Victor Church is a single-nave structure with one altar. A historic bell, discovered among the ruins of the old church, hangs nearby as an authentic relic of its past. Above the church, a balcony with a balustrade has been installed, and ornamental crosses adorn the rooftop ridges. The churchyard is open, featuring a carved wooden cross and a wooden belfry. The belfry is rectangular in shape, with a raised tower housing a bell. Benches have been placed in the churchyard for the convenience of worshippers. Despite its turbulent history, Kalnujai St. Victor Church remains a vibrant sanctuary for the faithful, preserving the religious and cultural heritage of the region.

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