Since the Restoration of Lithuanian independence Catholic communities of Mokolai, Degučiai and surrounding villages were knocking on the doors of local government and the Church asking to built a prayer house.
On July 7, 2011 the parish of Blessed Pope John Paul II was establish. The first pastor appointed was a priest Marius Rudzinskas, who took care of the church’s constructions (at first masses were held at “Šaltinis“ school). The land a church was built on was donated by Gintaras Vilutis. This piece of land (1.19 hectares) in the northern part of Mokolai near J. Ambrazevičiaus-Brazaičio St. was ideal for building a church. A cross carved by Algimantas Sakalauskas, a folk artist, was built in the land; it bears an inscription “Marijampolė parish of Blessed Pope John Paul II/ A church will be built on this land… ”.
After three years of waiting the community gathered to celebrate on October 21, 2014. A wooden church, a gift of Catholics of Lastrup (Lower Saxony, Germany), was consecrated. The church was built in 2007 and transferred to St Joseph foundation. Clemens Rottinghaus, a member of the foundation and an honorary citizen of Marijampolė, helped to donate a building to Marijampolė parish.
The whole church was dismantled and brought back to Lithuania: walls with a roof frame, benches, altar, paintings, interior windows and decorations, balcony supports, stairs and the sacristy furniture. Blessed John Paul II Church is a small wooden building, its total area - about 100 square meters. Timber framing walls planked with oak, roof is titled. The church can contain 150 people. Although the sanctuary cannot accommodate abundant number of the faithful, it is believed that the needs of the community will be served completely.
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