The independent Parish of Litija, which was declared on 1 May 1936, encompassed towns that had previously belonged to three different parishes: Šmartno pri Litiji, Vače and Sava. A relatively late founding of the independent parish was primarily a result of the vicinity of the ancient parish centre Šmartno pri Litiji. Due to the growing population Litija obtained a resident retired priest in 1856. The early 20th century saw the emergence of the first initiatives for the founding of a new parish, which were opposed by the long-time mayor of Šmarje, Matej Rihar. However, when Anton Gornik took over the mayoral office in 1930, he immediately began the process of founding the new parish, which first resulted in the establishment of a vicariate in 1931 with a non-resident priest Vinko Lovšin, who then administered activities that in 1936 ultimate led to the founding of the independent parish in Litija.