This is one of the oldest, perhaps even the oldest, wooden church in Lithuania, and an architectural monument of national significance. People seeing it for the first time are amazed at its size and splendour. It even appears on wedding planners' websites among the most beautiful churches. Unfortunately, in Soviet times efforts were made to "hide" the church's beauty behind brick buildings, so you can only spot it when you are right next to it. The church that survives to this day is the third wooden one, built in 1750. The first wooden church was built in 1609 but burned down in the war of 1655, before it had stood even half a century. A new church was built in 1674, and when it grew old, the present one was built. Some historians think that the church's construction was probably funded by the family of the Counts Butler. In the 17th century these nobles built an impressive castle on the riverbank, a copy of the Château de Sisteron in France. Today the church looks different, but the main façade composition with its two elegant towers has survived. In the second half of the 19th century the chapels were rebuilt and the sides of the church widened. On the outside the chapels are decorated with small turrets. The church is enclosed by a brick wall, and in its eastern corner stands a brick chapel built in the late 19th century. Inside you will notice five very valuable gilded wooden altars. They are richly decorated with colourful sculptures. It is thought that the church may hold one or two paintings by the famous painter Nikodem Silvanavičius. The wooden pulpit also has artistic value. The organ was made by Jonas Garalevičius, one of the most famous Lithuanian organ builders of the early 20th century. Looking around the interior, you can imagine how playfully and humanly the craftsmen of the past pictured the saints. Right next to it, on the bank of the Nemunas, stands the monument to Grand Duke Kęstutis, and you can walk to the Prienai Regional Museum. Bishop Benedykt Woyna made the Birštonas church a filial of the Prienai parish in 1609. In 1609 the Prienai church was given the Bagrėnas manor farm with its buildings and the village of Bagrėnas with 33 voloks of land. The parish priest was obliged to keep a vicar. The parish priest had to be Lithuanian or speak Lithuanian well. In the early 17th century a parish school operated. Parish registers began to be kept in 1644. Through the efforts of parish priest Wojciech Izdebski, a new church was built in 1674. The present wooden church was built in 1750. It was repaired and widened in 1875. At that time a brick chapel was built in the churchyard. The new church was consecrated in 1885 by the auxiliary bishop of Sejny, Józef Olek. In 1906 a branch of the "Žiburys" society was founded (chaired by the priest Juozapas Rudaitis). In 1907 a library and reading room was founded. An organ made by the famous Lithuanian master Jonas Garalevičius was installed in the church. In 1918 the "Žiburys" gymnasium was founded, long headed by the priest Feliksas Martišius (1879–1955). After the Second World War the church was repaired. On 26 August 1971 the parish priest of Prienai, Juozas Zdebskis, was arrested and sentenced to one year in Pravieniškės prison for teaching children the catechism.