In 1829 the Šetkevičiai family, who at that time were the owners of the currently deteriorated Onuškis Manor, were credited for construction of a new masonry church. The sanctum is an example of the classicistic architecture combining brick masonry parts covered with light-colour plaster and masonry made of dark-colour stones filling large planes. This could be seen as a certain reflection of the Romanticism Era. Unlike other Southern Lithuanian sanctums similar in terms of the materials used for their construction, such as the churches built in Valkininkai or Daugai, this particular Church stands out for the very small stones used for it. The building reflects the classicistic rectangular layout of a sanctum with a portico. This type was actually very popular at that time, but the distinctive feature of Onuškis Church is the unusually thin six columns incorporated into the portico in contrast not only to their wide capitals but also to the four square pilasters, which look more massive by comparison. Their rhythm echoes across the interior wall of the portico and they also divide other facades of the sanctum. The entablature with modillion-based cornice surrounds the entire perimeter of the Church and is only interrupted by a semi-circular window incorporated into the rear pediment. Both the architrave surrounding it and the vertical strips going down from it across the rear façade are decorated with side teeth-like elements merging with arrangement of the modillions. The modillions also support the cornice of the bulky front pediment. The main entrance is surrounded by sculptures of evangelists incorporated into the niches between the pilasters. This decision was most likely directly influenced by Vilnius Cathedral. Rectangular windows highlighted by light-colour architraves are arranged on the stone masonry planes between the pilasters in the upper part of the side façades as well as the entrances highlighted in the same manner under the windows on the sides of the Western façade. The three naves in the Church are divided by round pillars and they are covered with cylindrical domes, which are often characteristic to buildings of such a layout. The sacristy is incorporated into the common space of the building along with the treasury premises, both of which are arranged at the axes of the side naves on both sides of the presbytery.
The Church of Apostles St Philip & St James in Onuškis - Mokyklos g. 20, Onuškis 21213, Lietuva
