title: Church of St. Francis Xavier, Kaunas
text: # Church of St. Francis Xavier, Kaunas
  
  The Church of St. Francis Xavier (Lithuanian: Šv. Pranciškaus Ksavero bažnyčia) is located in the Old Town of Kaunas, Lithuania. The church, dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, was built in the Town Hall Square in the Old Town of Kaunas by Jesuits. The Jesuits opened their first residence in Kaunas in 1642 and established a chapel in the House of Perkūnas in 1643. Later they also founded a first four-form school in the city in 1649. The construction of the church started in 1666 and was completed in 1720, the church was consecrated in 1722.
  
  The Tsarist Russian government gave the church to the Orthodox church for their use in 1824. The church was again assigned to the Jesuits only in 1924. After Lithuania was occupied by Soviet Union the St. Francis Xavier church was turned into a technical school, the interior of the church was used as a sports hall. The church was returned again to the Jesuits in 1989, and renovation of the church took place in 1992.
  
  ## Gallery
  
  * Painting of the Kaunas Old Town, 1875
  * Central altar
  * Organ
  * One of the altars
  * Further view with monastery buildings
  * Church of St. Francis Xavier and Kaunas Town Hall
  * Christmas tree near the Church of St. Francis Xavier
  