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Church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary in Nemunėlio Radviliškis

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The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1854 in Nemunėlis Radviliškis, is designed in a historicist style with elements of classicism and features a distinctive decorative stone masonry exterior. The first chapel was built in 1719, while the construction of the current church was funded by Count Jonas Tiškevičius.

In 1915, a fire destroyed the tower, roof, ceiling, and altar. The church was rebuilt between 1921 and 1928 but was damaged again during World War II. After the war, it was restored, though its tower was reduced in size. Between 1959 and 1976, Bishop Vincentas Sladkevičius, who had been exiled, resided here.

The church has a rectangular layout (27×19 m), with a single tower, three naves, and multiple altars. The churchyard is enclosed by a stone fence.

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Religious Heritage
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The Church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary is located in the picturesque Biržai district, in the town of Nemunėlio Radviliškis, near the Latvian border, at the confluence of the Apaščia and Nemunėlis rivers. The church, built of stone masonry, stands out with its decorative exterior, which is unique in Lithuania. This architectural monument, constructed in 1854, is in the historicist style with elements of classicism. Unfortunately, the interior of the church is modest, as the tower, roof, ceiling, and organ were destroyed in a fire in 1915, along with the loss of the altar and paintings. The first Catholic chapel in Nemunėlio Radviliškis was built in 1719, and around 1782, a wooden church was constructed, which had one altar and no sacristy. A bell tower stood in the churchyard. A parish school was established in 1804. From 1818, the parish priest was the filialist Jonas Skapinavičius, who built the sacristy. Construction of the stone church began in 1849 and was completed in 1854. The building was financed by Count Jonas Tiškevičius,

who funded the construction of the current Church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary in the town center. After the fire in 1915, which severely damaged the church, Masses were held in a shelter. Between 1921 and 1928, the church was rebuilt. The restoration work was initiated by Father Feliksas Dėdelė and completed by Father Mykolas Jusius. The tower was rebuilt in a different style. During World War II, the parish outbuildings were burned down, and the church was damaged. After the war, under the care of Father Stanislovas Žalys and others, the church was covered with planks, a significantly lower tower was rebuilt, and the presbytery was plastered. A small house was built in place of the rectory. From 1959 to 1976, the exiled Bishop Vincentas Sladkevičius lived in Nemunėlio Radviliškis. The church is in the historicist style with classicism elements. The building is rectangular (27×19 m) with a single tower. The interior features three naves and three altars. The churchyard fence is constructed of stone masonry.

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