The church was commissioned by Count Pliateris, a prominent local nobleman of the time.
The interior contains a painting of the Virgin Mary, believed to have been gifted by the Pope in the 17th century.
The building was constructed using over 3 million bricks manufactured at the local manor's factory.
Its height allows the spires to be visible from several kilometers away in the flat Samogitian landscape.
The churchyard contains the elaborate burial chapel of the Plater family.
The site previously housed a wooden church that burned down in the 18th century.
St. Jacob the Apostle Church in Švėkšna is a red-brick neo-Gothic building completed in 1905. It stands at 80 meters tall, making it one of the tallest churches in Lithuania. The exterior is constructed from bricks produced in the local Švėkšna brickyard. It features high vaulted ceilings and a collection of historical paintings, including works by contemporary religious artists. The church replaced a series of earlier wooden structures that occupied the site since the 16th century. It serves as the primary landmark of the town and is situated on a hill overlooking the surrounding landscape. The building survived both World Wars without significant structural damage. Its architecture includes prominent twin towers and elaborate decorative brickwork typical of the late 19th-century Baltic style.
From the park entrance looking up at the church towers framed by the park's deciduous trees.
Walk through the adjacent Švėkšna Park to see the manor ruins and old-growth trees.
Visit during the annual pumpkin lantern festival in autumn if you are in the region.
Check the upper gallery area for a better perspective of the interior vaulted arches.
Do not attempt to climb the towers, as they are not open for public access.
Maintain silence, remove hats, and avoid photography during active religious services.
