- Place
- Biržai District Municipality
- Region
- Biržai
- Type
- active Roman Catholic parish church
- Address
- 5 Radvilos Street, LT-41175 Biržai
- Coordinates
- 56.20398, 24.75698
- Visit duration
- 25-45 minutes; longer when attending Mass
- Best time
- during the day or before Mass, after checking whether the doors will be open
Biržai Catholic Church, St John the Baptist Church, Biržai
The present church was built in 1857-1861
The Panevėžys Diocese traces Catholic churches in Biržai to the early sixteenth century. Earlier wooden churches disappeared or were replaced as the castle was built and the Reformed tradition became dominant. Later Catholic places of worship were again established in wood, but their form and location changed.
Count Jonas Tiškevičius built the present masonry church in 1857-1861 to a design by Laurynas Cezaris Anikinis. The diocesan history records its consecration in 1879 and the installation of an organ by Rodavičius in 1901.
A 45 by 25 metre historicist hall church
The diocese describes the building as historicist, with Baroque and Classical features. It has a rectangular 45 by 25 metre hall plan and two towers. Inside, piers divide the space into three naves beneath groin vaults.
The strongest view opens from Independence Square. Walk around the churchyard to compare the formal twin-towered main facade with the quieter side walls and apse. The municipal heritage list protects the church, the wider complex, and the churchyard walls and gates.
A living parish rather than a museum display
Inside, look for the three altars, the rhythm of the piers and the groin-vaulted ceiling. These works belong to an active liturgical setting rather than a freely arranged museum display.
Do not walk around or take photographs during Mass. If the doors are closed between services, the architecture can still be read from the churchyard and paired with the nearby Reformed church to understand Biržai's two major Christian traditions.
Services and a walk through central Biržai
The church stands in the centre within walking distance of Biržai Castle and Lake Širvėna. Leave your car in a permitted public space rather than blocking the churchyard gate, then continue the route on foot.
There is no admission ticket. When checked on July 22, 2026, the diocese listed Sunday Mass at 9:00, 11:00 and 18:00, Saturday Mass at 8:00, 11:00 and 18:00, and weekday Mass at 8:00 and 18:00. Schedules change, so confirm them on the parish page before making a special trip.
