Church of St. Francis Xavier, Kaunas

The Church of St. Francis Xavier (Lithuanian: Šv. Pranciškaus Ksavero bažnyčia) is located in the Old Town of Kaunas, Lithuania. The church, dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, was built in the Town Hall Square in the Old Town of Kaunas by Jesuits. The Jesuits opened their first residence in Kaunas in 1642 and established a chapel in the House of Perkūnas in 1643. Later they also founded a first four-form school in the city in 1649. The construction of the church started in 1666, and it was consecrated in 1722.[1]

St. Francis Xavier Church
Šv. Pranciškaus Ksavero (Jėzuitų) bažnyčia
Kaunas Church of St. Francis Xavier
Religion
AffiliationRoman Catholic
DistrictOld Town, Kaunas
Year consecrated1720
Location
LocationKaunas, Lithuania
Geographic coordinates54°53′45.5″N 23°53′10″E
Architecture
TypeChurch
StyleBaroque
Completed1759
Direction of façadeNorth

The Tsarist Russian government gave the church to the Orthodox church for their use in 1824. The church was again assigned to the Jesuits only in 1924. After Lithuania was occupied by Soviet Union the St. Francis Xavier church was turned into a technical school, the interior of the church was used as a sports hall. The church was returned again to the Jesuits in 1989,[2] and renovation of the church took place in 1992.

References
  1. Kaunas: Dates and Facts. Kaunas from its Origins to the Fall of Grand Duchy of Lithuania
  2. The Jesuit Church and College, Kaunas
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