Madona Roman Catholic Church

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OFFER
* Near the church, a support wall with the Beatitudes, scripts from the Bible, can be visited.

HISTORY
* Building of Madona Catholic Church was launched in 1926 and finished in 19 March 1934. Just less than a month later on 10 June it was dedicated by the bishop Jāzeps Rancāns to Christ the King.
* The need for a catholic church in Madona arouse when workers from Latgale, who were mainly Catholics, started moving here in 1920s due to economic growth of surrounding rural territories and foundation of the town. Until then, the dominant religious groups were the Orthodox and Lutherans.

The closest Roman church at that time was in Barkava, and not always it was possible for people to travel the long way. So the priest Miķelis Dukaļskis serving in Barkava used to come to Madona Grammar School to preach. He also offered a big donation for the construction of the new church-7830 lats. Pinsk bishop Łoziński donated 3000 lats, and donations were sent by Catholics also from other countries, even America and Italy, and-of course-the nearby Barkava.

* The newly-built church was at that time the only Catholic church in Vidzeme outside Riga.
* Initially, the parish was not big, just 250 members, but in 1975 there were 900 active Catholics, and in 1995-2100 parish members.
* When the church was built, it was 22 m long, 8.5 m wide and 5 m high. The tower was 10 m high and held a 33 kg heavy bell. And the building also had temporary residential premises for the priest.