Pfarrkirche hl. Johannes dem Täufer

The parish church in Schnifis stands at the eastern edge of the village in Vorarlberg, surrounded by a quiet cemetery. A church has stood on this spot since at least 830, when it was first mentioned in records. The present building was consecrated in 1535, then enlarged in 1817 and reshaped in 1972 and 1973. Its tall north tower rises 36 metres and carries round-headed openings in the gables. The west front shows a brick porch topped by a conical roof. Inside, the roof frame is left open, and large rectangular windows light the nave. A glass painting in the porch shows Jesus with his disciples alongside Popes Pius X and Pius XII. The altar, lectern and tabernacle were carved by Herbert Albrecht during the 1970s refurbishment. A Gothic baptismal font and a baroque copy of a 15th-century Pietà stand against the walls. Outside, weathered grave slabs mark the Müller, Grommi, Nesasoni and Zürcher families from the 17th and 18th centuries. The church’s organ, built in 1973 by Rieger Orgelbau, occupies the right aisle. To the north, a modern parish house designed by Hugo Purtscher completes the group of buildings.