The Church of St. John of Nepomuk in Seda (Lithuanian: Sedos Šv. Jono Nepomuko bažnyčia) is a small yet highly distinctive wooden church located in the town of Seda, in the Mažeikiai District of north-western Lithuania. It stands in a particularly picturesque setting, placed within a bend of the Varduva River, directly opposite the Seda bridge, creating a calm riverside atmosphere that highlights the charm of the town.
Unlike the main parish church, this building is described as a non-parish church, and it belongs to the Parish of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Seda. Because of this role, the church is often seen as a quieter and more intimate sacred space within the town’s religious landscape.
Historical sources connect the church with the former Seda manor estate. In 1781, a chapel was built there, and in 1783 it was expanded, elevated, and transformed into a church, with a bell tower added as part of the complex. The church was formally consecrated on 28 May 1793 by Auxiliary Bishop Tadas Juozapas Bukatas, marking its full recognition as a sacred building.
Architecturally, the church represents Lithuanian folk (vernacular) wooden church design. It is a wooden structure with a rectangular layout and a single tower, preserving a traditional silhouette that blends naturally into the town’s historic character. This makes it especially interesting for visitors who want to discover Lithuania’s wooden architectural heritage beyond the better-known large churches and urban monuments.
Over time the church served different roles in the town’s life: in the first half of the 19th century it functioned as a students’ church, later experienced a period without a permanent priest, and eventually returned to more active use. At the beginning of the 20th century, the building was rebuilt at the personal expense of a local priest, ensuring its continued presence in Seda’s religious and cultural environment.
Today, the Church of St. John of Nepomuk in Seda is recognised as a cultural heritage site, valued not only for worship, but also as an authentic reminder of regional craftsmanship, historical tradition, and the riverside townscape of Samogitia.
