The construction of the monastery was initiated by Andrius Valavičius and his family, who returned to the Catholic faith after a wave of Counter-Reformation.

Before World War II, Tytuvėnai was popular as a resort town due to its location among lakes and forests.

Two mass executions in Tytuvėnai forest took place in August 1941, but before that, according to witnesses, about 30-40 Jews were taken by carts to Raseiniai and never came back.

The second one took place about a week later, when women, children and the elderly were assembled in the synagogue, then brought to the forest in several trips and shot.

Victims had to undress before the execution, while local villagers who were requisitioned to dig waited nearby to cover the bodies.