Žemaitkiemis Church of St Casimir: a single-tower church in Ukmergė District

Žemaitkiemis Church of St Casimir: a red-brick church by Žemaitkiemis Lake

Žemaitkiemis Church of St Casimir is a red-brick, three-nave church built in 1899–1902 in the town of Žemaitkiemis by the lake. The present building is defined by its massive central tower, while its parish life and Žolinė tradition make it a living sacred heritage site rather than architecture alone.

Red-brick Žemaitkiemis Church of St Casimir with its central tower

Place: Ukmergė District Municipality
Region: Ukmergė District
Type: Catholic church and sacred-heritage site
Address: S. Morkūno a. 2, Žemaitkiemis, 20368 Ukmergė District Municipality
Coordinates: 55.30519, 24.97620
Visit duration: 20–40 minutes; longer if the church is open or Mass is taking place
Best time: during daylight, respectfully fitting the visit around the parish liturgical schedule

Names and variants

Žemaitkiemis Church

Žemaitkiemis Church of St Casimir by the lake

Žemaitkiemis Church of St Casimir stands in the town of Žemaitkiemis, Ukmergė District, by the south-western shore of Žemaitkiemis Lake. The practical address is S. Morkūno a. 2, and the map point leads to the church grounds rather than to the town centre.

The present sanctuary is dated to 1902 and belongs to an active parish. A visit is therefore both an architectural stop and an encounter with a sacred space where visitors should be respectful during Masses, funerals or other services.

Building history after the 1892 fire

The church was built in 1899–1902 after a fire in 1892 destroyed the earlier sanctuary. The present building is therefore dated to 1902, while older dates belong to earlier Žemaitkiemis churches.

Žemaitkiemis’ sacred history reaches further back: Jesuit churches stood here in the 17th–18th centuries. Those are earlier parish stages, not the construction date of the red-brick church visible today.

Single-tower red-brick architecture

The building has a rectangular plan and three naves, built from red brick. Its silhouette is shaped by a massive central tower with a narrowing top, making the church easy to recognise from the approaches to the town.

Do not confuse this sanctuary with Lithuania’s two-tower churches or with another place of a similar name. The key visual marker here is one tall central tower and a brick-masonry volume scaled to a small town.

Interior heritage and parish tradition

Cultural-heritage descriptions mention a 19th-century painting of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and wooden figures of Jesus. These works are documented interior heritage, but seeing them depends on the church being open at the time and on liturgical arrangements.

The Žemaitkiemis parish remains active, with traditional Žolinė celebrations and Masses. Dates and arrangements can change, so religious feasts follow their own schedule rather than serving as daily tourist opening hours.

Planning a visit

See the church façades, central tower and grounds when you arrive, and enter only through open doors or at a time acceptable to the parish. No permanent tourist timetable, admission price, toilet or parking arrangement is listed publicly.

The heritage record identifies the church site, while S. Morkūno Square helps with orientation in town. If you travel for Žolinė or another feast, check parish information and allow extra time for people for whom the church is a place of prayer, not a tour stop.

Žemaitkiemis Church of St Casimir: frequently asked questions

Where is Žemaitkiemis Church of St Casimir?

It is at S. Morkūno a. 2 in Žemaitkiemis, Ukmergė District Municipality, by the south-western part of Žemaitkiemis Lake.

When was the present Žemaitkiemis Church built?

The present red-brick church was built in 1899–1902 and is dated to 1902; it replaced a sanctuary destroyed in the 1892 fire.

Was there an earlier church in Žemaitkiemis?

Yes. Jesuit churches stood in Žemaitkiemis in the 17th–18th centuries, but those dates describe earlier parish stages rather than the present building.

How many naves does the church have?

It is a rectangular three-nave red-brick church with a massive central tower.

Are historic artworks preserved inside?

Heritage descriptions mention a 19th-century painting of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and wooden figures of Jesus. Whether you can see them depends on the interior being open.

Is Žemaitkiemis Church open to tourists every day?

It is an active parish, but a permanent tourist timetable is not confirmed. Enter through open doors or during Mass, following the church’s and parish’s rules.

When are the Žolinė celebrations in Žemaitkiemis?

Žolinė celebrations are a parish tradition reported by the Ukmergė District Municipality, but check the current dates and programme before travelling.

How should I plan a visit to Žemaitkiemis Church?

View the façades and churchyard from outside, and enter only through open doors or at an arranged time. If travelling for Žolinė, check the service and event time in advance.