St Casimir's Lithuanian Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Casimir's Lithuanian Church |
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|---|---|
| Roman Catholic Church of St Casimir | |
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| 51°31′58″N 0°03′34″W / 51.53278°N 0.05944°W | |
| Location | London |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Dedicated | 1912 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Benedict Williamson |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Westminster |
Welcome to St. Casimir's Lithuanian Church! This special church is located in Bethnal Green, a part of London, England. It's a place of worship for the Roman Catholic community, especially those with Lithuanian heritage.
Contents
History of St. Casimir's Church
How the Church Began
The idea for this church started in 1901. At first, there was a smaller church on the corner of Christian Street and Cable Street. This was the beginning of the mission to serve the Lithuanian community in London.
Building the New Church
The church you see today was built about ten years later. It was during the time of Father Casimir G. Matulaitis. The church officially opened its doors on March 10, 1912. A very important person, Cardinal Bourne, was there for the opening ceremony.
Who Designed the Church?
Interestingly, the person who designed the church, Father Benedict Williamson, also led the first Mass (a special church service) on opening day. He created a unique building using "London stock brick" for the Lithuanian community.
Exploring the Church's Architecture
What Does the Church Look Like Inside?
When you step inside St. Casimir's, you'll notice its clear design. It has a main area called the nave, side sections called aisles, and a special area near the altar called the chancel. All these parts fit together within three main sections, or "bays."
Windows and Light
You won't find windows in the side aisles. Instead, there are round windows in the north wall. More windows are high up in the walls, in a section called the clerestory. These windows help bring light into the church.
The Amazing Altarpiece
The most striking feature inside is the huge, colorful altarpiece. It's a beautiful carving made from wood that shows the Coronation of Our Lady. This means it shows Mary, the mother of Jesus, being crowned.
Angels are carved around Mary, showing different poses of prayer. A golden, winged crown floats above her head. Above and behind Mary, you can see carved figures of Christ and God the Father watching. The Holy Spirit, shown as a dove, sends out rays of light towards little angels called cherubim, who are partly hidden in clouds.
Other Artworks in the Church
While Father Williamson designed the main building, other parts of the church have different artistic styles. For example, to the right of the altar, there is a stunning statue of St. Casimir. This statue was made in Lithuania in 2009 by a famous Lithuanian sculptor named Antanas Žukauskas. He used a special stone called Ancaster limestone to create this fine piece of art.
Images for kids
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The exterior of St. Casimir's Lithuanian Church.
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A closer look at the detailed interior of the church.
