The Žeimelis Evangelical Lutheran Church is one of the most important symbols of the town, so the completion of the restoration works is important not only for cultural heritage specialists but also for the local community. The church tower, which has shaped the town’s panorama for more than two centuries, is the most recognizable architectural accent of Žeimelis, making its preservation relevant to the town’s identity. By the way, it is important not only to Lithuanians but also to neighboring Latvians (local residents even call it the Latvian church), as the Latvian educator, linguist, theologian, poet, and writer Gothard Friedrich Stender served as pastor there for six years.
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“People said – let’s take a photo because we probably won’t see another renovation. Indeed – how many times this building has already survived and how many more it will survive – it has a long historical memory. We are very grateful to everyone who contributed to the church restoration works. Everyone worked very well, and the results are obvious. In the renovated church, not only services but also concerts will continue,” said Laima Karpavičiūtė, a representative of the Žeimelis Evangelical Lutheran Church, who also became the church’s keyholder during the renovation.
The joy of the town’s residents over the restored church is easy to understand because before the works began, the building was in very poor condition – the roof was full of holes, small trees were growing on it, and in some places not only the floors and ceilings but also the church floorboards were rotten.
“We are glad that we could contribute to restoring this building, important to the history of Lithuania and Latvia and adorning the town. It is pleasant to finish the works knowing that the building will not be empty, that it will be frequently visited and used for both church and the entire town community’s needs,” said KIC director Šarūnas Šoblinskas.
Restored church tower, roof, and sacristy
The official name of the implemented project is the restoration (repair, restoration, elimination of emergency threat – installation of protective technical measures) works of the roof of the Žeimelis Evangelical Lutheran Church.
During this project, comprehensive restoration works were carried out on the church, covering the main building volume, the tower, and the sacristy. Most attention was paid to renewing the roofs: historical wooden structures and floors were restored, a new covering was installed, and wooden ceilings were repaired. At the same time, the structural stability of the building was ensured – cracked masonry areas in the main part of the church and the sacristy were reinforced and tied. The final touch was the restoration of the metal crosses and their fastening elements rising above the church tower and sacristy.
“During the works, not only worn-out structures were replaced, but also authentic surviving elements were restored, applying the requirements set for cultural heritage objects. Such solutions allow preserving the historical value of the building while ensuring its safety and durability,” commented Eugenijus Tautkus, KIC technical supervision project manager, on the works performed.
The roof restoration works of the Žeimelis Evangelical Lutheran Church took place in 2025–2026. They were carried out by UAB “Rokiškio apdaila,” the project was prepared by UAB “Senamiesčio projektai,” and the project manager was Ramūnas Buitkus. The works were financed by the Lithuanian Republic state budget – the Real Estate Cultural Heritage Restoration Works (heritage management) program, with a value of 445 thousand euros including VAT.
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A history spanning more than four centuries
The history of the Žeimelis Evangelical Lutheran parish began back in the 16th century. The first Evangelical Lutheran church in Žeimelis was built in 1540 at the initiative of the elder Kaspar von Tiesenhausen. The wooden church was rebuilt and repaired several times over the centuries, changed owners, and eventually became the property of the parish.
An important stage in the parish’s history is associated with Pastor Konrad Schulz. During his leadership, the current brick church was built, and the clergyman himself contributed to the reorganization of the Evangelical Lutheran church organization in Lithuania. K. Schulz is buried inside the church – under the pulpit.
The current Žeimelis Evangelical Lutheran Church was built between 1786 and 1793. At the end of the 19th century, in 1889–1890, it was significantly remodeled – a tall tower was built, and the church interior was renovated.
The church, built of irregular stones and bricks, stands out with features of historicism and neo-Gothic architecture. The building’s facades are decorated with pointed-arch windows, decorative brick elements, and the interior still preserves valuable altars, a pulpit, and the organ prospect from the late 19th century. The sanctuary was for a long time the main Evangelical Lutheran church for the parishes of Žeimelis, Biržai, Panevėžys, and the Pakruojis branch.
After World War II, the parish decreased, but the church continued to operate. In the 1980s, it was renovated – the roof and tower were renewed, walls and floors were repainted, and the organ was repaired.
The 2025–2026 restoration works are an important stage in the history of this sanctuary, helping to preserve one of the most valuable objects of Northern Lithuania’s Evangelical Lutheran sacred architecture.
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