Already in 1938 Donations for the construction of the new church were started. In 1957-1960, according to the project of the engineer architect Juoz Baltrėnas, with money donated by believers. the current brick church was built, one of the rare churches that were allowed to be built in the Soviet era.
in 1961 the organizers of the church construction were arrested: pastor Liudvikas Povilonis (1910–1990; later archbishop), vicar Bronislovas Burneikis (1923–1991) and 5 other persons. Convicted priests served 4 years each. The church building was expropriated by the government. in 1963 a branch of the LTSR Philharmonic was established there. The tower was demolished, the altars were dismantled, and the philharmonic hall was installed. Painter Antanas Kmieliauskas, 1960 after painting a fresco for the Great Altar, he was expelled from the Artists' Union (in 1989, A. Kmieliauskas created a new fresco).in 1988 the church was returned to the faithful, Monsignor B. Burneikis, who was appointed pastor and dean, repaired the church and rectory (the first Holy Mass was held on November 25, 1988). in 1989 the tower was rebuilt, a 3-ton bell was cast by Lithuanian craftsmen in Darbėnai. Lithuanians in the USA donated organs to Franciscans.
