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Nottingham, England

Nottingham has one of the most important Lithuanian hubs in Great Britain known as “Židinys” (literally “Fireplace” but also meaning “Hub”).

In 1966, “Židinys” was established in an acquired ~1830s townhouse by the Lithuanian Marian priests. At the time, it was known as “Jaunimo židinys” (Youth Hub) as the upper floors served as a dormitory for Lithuanian students and orphans. Studying in Nottingham, they would have Lithuanian religious services in Židinys’s first-floor chapel as well as additional Lithuanian language lessons on Sundays.

Lithuanian Center "Židinys" in Nottingham

Lithuanian Center "Židinys" in Nottingham

“Židinys” chapel is dedicated to the Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn. Located on the first floor, it includes many Lithuanian symbols and mementos. Many of the building elements pre-date its Lithuanian ownership, with the chapel itself once being a regular room. However, Lithuanians installed stained-glass windows on the second floor. An older wooden plaque outside includes a Lithuanian coat of arms, flag, and the inscription “Lietuvių židinys / Lithuanian Centre / Marian Fathers”.

"Židinys" chapel

"Židinys" chapel

In “Židinys”, Lithuanian priests also lived, led by priest Steponas Matulis. From here, they served 13 smaller Lithuanian colonies. They also published “Šaltinis”, a Lithuanian magazine that had its origins in Seinai (Sejny) at 1906, a rebirth in 1926 Marijampolė (a city that is a hub of Marian priests in Lithuania). Closed by the Soviets in 1940, it was reborn in London in 1961 and moved to “Židinys” later, having a circulation of 1200. As the Soviet occupation of Lithuania ended, “Šaltinis” was transferred back to Lithuania in 1993.

"Židinys" original sign

"Židinys" original sign

After priest Steponas Matulis died, a larger plaque was unveiled on “Židinys”, saying that it was founded by Rev Steponas Matulis (1918-2003) and the first Mass was served on 1965 09 08. After priest Matulis’s death, no Lithuanian priest lived in “Židinys”, however, the chapel still hosts a regular monthly Lithuanian Mass celebrated by Lithuanian priests from London St. Casimir Lithuanian Parish. Currently, secular/ethnic Lithuanian activities dominate in “Židinys”, including the celebrations for Lithuanian Independence Day, a singing of the Lithuanian anthem on July 6th, and the Lithuanian “Poetry Spring”.

Plaque for the founder of "Židinys"

Plaque for the founder of "Židinys"

The Lithuanian community of Nottingham generally consisted of the DPs – Lithuanians who fled the Soviet occupation of Lithuania in 1944. The Marian priests who founded “Židinys” also were DPs, forced to flee by the Soviet atheist regime.

"Židinys" chapel altar

"Židinys" chapel altar

While Nottingham was one of the largest DP “colonies” in Great Britain (together with Bradford, Glasgow area, Manchester, and London), unlike the other ones, it lacked a 1950s Lithuanian club, with plans to acquire such premises never being realized. This likely influenced the Lithuanian priest's decision to select Nottingham for “Židinys”, where it could also double as a local hub for Lithuanian activities, filling an important hole.

“Židinys” is also one of the very few Lithuanian clubs in the United Kingdom that was established by the DPs and then taken over by the post-1990s immigrants, who continue its legacy. Comparable Lithuanian clubs in Manchester, Bradford, Headley, and London have closed down ~2000-2010 instead as the DP generation was passing away.

Lithuanian Cemetery Zone of Nottingham

As the DP Nottingham Lithuanians began passing away, they acquired a large lot in Wilford Hill Cemetery in 1971 so they could be buried together. This lot doesn’t have general Lithuanian monuments, unlike similar lots in Manchester or London, but it has many Lithuanian gravestones with patriotic and exile-themed symbols and inscriptions – e.g. “Lithuanian. Ilsėkis ramybėje toli nuo savo tėviškės” (“Rest in peace far from your homeland”), “Misunderstood you did your best in a new strange alien land”.

Grave in the Lithuanian cemetery zone of Nottingham

Grave in the Lithuanian cemetery zone of Nottingham

The founder of “Židinys” priest Steponas Matulis is also buried here.

Grave in the Lithuanian cemetery zone of Nottingham

Grave in the Lithuanian cemetery zone of Nottingham

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