Warngauer parish church needs general renovation

The next major construction site is announced in the parish association of Holzkirchen-Warngau: The Oberwarngau parish church of St. Johann Baptist has to be completely renovated.

The costs run into the hundreds of thousands.

Oberwarngau

- The house of God is 500 years old - and you can see how old it is.

For over ten years the parish of Oberwarngau has been striving to keep its parish church of St. Johann Baptist halfway in good shape.

They waited a long time for the professor's promise to provide money for a general renovation.

Now the time has come: Immediately after Easter 2022, St. Johann Baptist should become a major construction site.

Christmas almost failed once: In December 2009, shortly before Christmas Eve, believers noticed that the gallery on the west side is loose.

"You could no longer enter it," remembers Anni Bichler.

A carpenter helped out at short notice and temporarily stabilized the weak point.

And so the Christmas mass could take place as usual.

But the warning shot had been fired.

Allocation committee gives approval and grant

Since then it has been clear that the parish church of St. Johann Baptist is in need of renovation.

Over time, more and more damage came to light.

But those responsible in the Archbishop's Ordinariate took their time.

Too many other construction projects piled up on the desks there, along with restructuring and new prioritization rules.

Church nurse Bichler understands that too.

But now she is happy that something is finally happening in Oberwarngau: The Ordinariate's awarding committee has issued the building permit for the entire renovation, combined with a grant of three million euros.

“Now I can see light again at the end of the tunnel,” says Bichler.

After the ailing gallery, you noticed that the outer wall on the north side had drawn moisture.

Many more construction sites are pending, says Bichler.

“No wonder with a church that is over 500 years old.” There is a problem with the roof structure, and there is also a lot going on inside.

"The altars urgently need to be prepared."

The parish repaired some construction sites on its own.

Because many believers were already restless, were really annoyed.

Thought the church administration wasn't pushing enough.

"We couldn't help it," asserts Bichler.

And so Bichler and the rest of the team replaced all the lighting fixtures.

For 50,000 euros from the parish fund.

“You hardly saw anything,” recalls Bichler.

There was “a big riot in the village” when the bells had to silence because of the ailing belfry.

The solution of only ringing the bells with a mallet and not swinging them was displeased to many.

“That was way too quiet,” says Bichler.

So the parish reached into its own pocket again and took out 15,000 euros for the renovation of the belfry.

When the bells were allowed to ring in full glory for the first time on Easter Sunday 2020, the people were enthusiastic.

“That was a jubilation,” recalls Bichler.

Comprehensive renovation required

Now a comprehensive renovation is pending, affecting almost all areas of the church.

“It starts with the roof, which is re-covered and the roof structure is partially renewed,” says Hendrik Steffens from the press office of the ordinariate.

The church tower is being renovated both inside and out, and the statics are also being improved.

In addition, repairs to the plaster of the facade are planned.

In the interior, special attention is paid to the restoration of the liturgical furnishings, which, according to Steffens, "is of great art-historical value".

Parish has to raise half a million euros itself

Even if the ordinariate bears the lion's share, the parish must, according to Bichler, raise its own contribution of around 500,000 euros.

A good 93,000 euros have already been collected through donations and reserves.

There are also manual and clamping services.

At the end of the year, Bichler wants to put out a list in which all helpers can register.

According to the Archbishop's Ordinariate, the work begins after Easter.

In 2024 St. Johann Baptist should shine in new splendor.

During the two-year construction period, the stalls will be expanded and services cannot take place.

The believers have to move to the All Saints Church, which becomes a challenge in winter: "There is no heating there," says Bichler, "you just have to dress warmly there."

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