In the historical part of the city of Vilnius, is one of the oldest Catholic churches in the city - the Church of the assumption of the blessed virgin Mary. It is also called the Franciscan, or the Church on the Sands. The history of this temple is closely linked with the history of another Franciscan Church - Church of the Holy cross.

The Franciscans were the first who came to Lithuania to introduce the pagans to the Catholic faith. Historical documents show that the Franciscans were in Vilnius from the year 1323, but in those days they had no churches or monasteries.

Different sources indicate different dates of construction of the Church: year 1387, the year 1392, 1421 the year. For centuries the Church several times was completely or partially destroyed by fire. So, after the fire in 1533, the Church was completely destroyed and had to be rebuilt. In the period between 1737 and 1748, in Vilnius stormed one after another terrible fires. They have not spared this temple. Each time the temple was rebuilt or repaired. In the process of renovations, the Church was considerably updated. After the reconstruction of 1764, the Church was consecrated. In this form, the Church has survived to the present day.

It is a powerful stone building, in terms of which visible features of the transitional period from Baroque to classicism. In the Church there is the chapel of St. Jan and St. Laurina. An altar with a marble imitation is equipped with six pillars. Stucco over them a portrait of St. Anthony, framed in silver gilt flowers. Was 12 side altars. The monastery had a large collection of old books.

During the French invasion of 1812, the Church did not escape the fate of other churches. The Church was converted into a granary, and in the premises of the monastery placed hospital.

In 1864 the Russian tsarist authorities closed the Church. Destructive escaped unscathed only separated from the Church bell tower in the form of a tower with five bells. It was built in the 16th century. But what was spared by the fires, did not spare the people. This wonderful historical monument in 1872, was destroyed. It took several decades until in 1934 the Church was reopened. Prior to this services were held in the chapel of the temple.

The Soviet government has brought new changes in long-suffering the fate of the temple. In1949 the Church and monastery were nationalized, the Church building was again placed under the archive. In the premises of the monastery was occupied by various Soviet institutions: the city jail, a pawn shop, an Armory, library, etc. In 1998, the Church was returned to its first and rightful owners - the Franciscans.

In the interior of the Church are two chapels: the Chapel of St. Laurina and Chapel of St. John. The great altar is decorated with six columns. They are made of stone that mimics marble. Above the altar stands the stucco with the image of St. Anthony. The monastery has kept rare collection of old books. The appearance of the Church is solid and severe. The facade is like a solid block of gray-white, stone color.

The decoration of the facade are 5 arched Windows of different shapes and sizes, arranged asymmetrically in all three tiers of the Church. In contrast to the facade, which has preserved the original appearance of the 18th century, the side walls of the Church re-plastered, painted in bright colors and look quite fresh red under the arched roof of the third level, located along the entire length of elongated rectangular construction.