Church of St. Gertrude, Kaunas

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Kaunas Church of St. Gertrude

Church of St. Gertrude (Lithuanian: Šv. Gertrūdos bažnyčia) is located in Kaunas Old Town, and is one of the oldest Brick Gothic churches in Lithuania.

The precise date when the church was built is unknown, but it is known that it was built in 15th century. In 1503 Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander assigned it as Kaunas parish church. in the middle of 16th century a tower was attached. Church was damaged in 1655 and rebuilt around 1680.

Circa 1750 wooden hospital was attached to the church. It is known that around 1782 it was abandoned for a long time, and at the time there were 5 monks from order of St. Roch residing. They were funding doctor. 1796 church was renovated, and organs were installed and living place for parson was established. The church was consecrated in 1794.

1812 all the wooden buildings around church burned down, the fire damaged the church also. The hospital was abandoned, and 1824 transferred to the sister order of Caritas. The monastery was closed in 1864. The old hospital was demolished in 1880.

Since 1884 the church belonged to the Kaunas parish, and in 1921 it was assigned to the Marianites of Holy Cross and a monastery was built nearby. 1920 the church was daubed. In 1992 complex renovation of the church and monastery took place.

Since 1991 the Mass is held in the church again, ant Marianites monastery is returned to the monks order.