Pilgrimage Church of St. Johann bei der Eiche

Pilgrimage Church of St. JohnCalled "St. John by the Oak", the first beginnings were probably a wayside cross or a small chapel as a resting place for the carters on the old road that led from Italy across the Danube to Bohemia.In 1664 it was mentioned as a small chapel with a portable altar that had been desecrated by the Swedes during the Thirty Years' War.The current church is an attractive baroque building from around 1721, very nicely situated next to a small property.The nave has three window axes and a flat ceiling. The slightly recessed choir of one bay closes off on three sides. Tuscan pilasters structure the entire room. The west gallery with a curved parapet is supported by two wooden columns. The west portal has a straight lintel. The square projecting west tower stands in the central axis; the top of its three floors has bevelled corners and a shingled onion dome.The portal vestibule has a cross vault. A beautiful frame stucco from the time the church was built has been applied to the nave ceiling.
The high baroque altar dates from 1729, with two straight and two twisted columns, between them the altarpiece of the Baptism of Christ by John, created around 1670. In the elevator between volute pilasters is the image of the Immaculata, framed by acanthus carvings. The antependium has foliage carvings.
The early baroque side altars were made in 1609 in the Windberg monastery and bought at auction for St. Johann in 1803. Two columns flank each shell niche. In the niches on the left are Mary with the child on a crescent moon, in the elevator St. Anne Selbdritt; on the right St. Sebastian, in the elevator St. Florian. The originals of the elevator figures were stolen in the 1960s.
The confessional is a stylish baroque creation from the beginning of the 18th century.
Major restorations took place in 1879, 1968 and 1985.
The current organ comes from Haunkenzell and was installed in 2004.
The roof structure and interior were completely restored from 2009 to 2011.Source: Extracts from information boards and pilgrimage churches in the diocese of Regensburg

Small church in idyllic location just before Falkenfels. Directly opposite a wonderful piece of forest to go for a little walk. Highly recommended for a trip with children. There are also two swings attached to a tree. It is worth driving by car to spend an entertaining afternoon