MyTravis

Map / Visited places / Religious Heritage

Biržai United Methodist Church

234

0 out of 5

(0 reviews)

The Biržai Methodist community was established in 1923 by Reverend Oskar Kaufman. Initially, services were held in a rented house. That same year, the Methodists began publishing a monthly newspaper called "Krikščionystės sargas" ("Christian Guardian"), which was published in Biržai from 1926 to 1927.

Info

Religious Heritage
Birzai
Biržai Tourism and Business Information Center

How to get there?

56.201667, 24.74682

Get directions

The Biržai United Methodist Church is an active Methodist congregation located at 25 Kęstučio Street in Biržai. It is one of the 11 United Methodist Church (UMC) communities in Lithuania and plays an important role in the local religious community. The Biržai Methodist community was established in 1923 by Reverend Oskar Kaufman. Initially, services were held in a rented house. That same year, the Methodists began publishing a monthly newspaper called "Krikščionystės sargas" ("Christian Guardian"), which was published in Biržai from 1926 to 1927. After Lithuania regained independence, Methodist activities were renewed in 1995, and the United Methodist Church activities in Biržai were restored in 1997. Initially, the congregation met in rented premises on Stoties Street, where it was served by Reverend Kingsley Halden. Kingsley, born in Jamaica, later became a citizen of the United Kingdom and

was ordained a priest in England. Arriving as a missionary, he helped acquire a building in Biržai on Kęstučio Street and establish a place of worship. He later moved to Šiauliai and passed away in 2011. Much of the establishment and renovation work for the Biržai church was supported by Methodist volunteers from the USA. In 2001, a support center was opened at the church, initially planned to assist people with addictions. Since 2002, the center has shifted its focus and now operates as a day center for children and youth from socially disadvantaged families. The center also runs a home care project for individuals with mobility impairments and provides support through women's day centers, local family programs, and addiction prevention initiatives. The church hosts a Sunday school, a youth bell choir, and children's summer camps. Since 2004, the church has been led by Reverend Raimondas Piečia.

Found a mistake? Report