Image Copyright: Hartmut Golomb

St. Johannes Baptistae

Very close to the protecting dike, amidst the Lower Rhenish lowlands between Wesel and Rees, rises the parish church 'St. Johannes Baptistae' of Bislich.
The view is especially pretty when one arrives either on foot or by bicycle.

The 'Kerck an den Dick' (church) has a venerable age. In Carolingian times, ca. 800 AD, a simple long building must have stood here. Those foundation remains were discovered during renovation works in the year 1928. In its present measurements (roughly 30 m length and 15 m width) the church was constructed as a three-nave, Romanesque pillar basilica in the 12th-century. The massive tower serves as a witness from these early times. The church was designed as a fortified church and had thick walls made of Tuff. As in many other medieval churches at the Lower Rhine the Tuff stemmed from Roman buildings near Xanten, which had become useless.

Image Copyright: Hartmut Golomb

Neo-Gothic winged altar

The neo-Gothic Langenberger winged altar from 1882, was put in its original place in the chancel on an initiative by priest Werth. The altar had been standing in a neglected part at the end of the church since the 1960ties. In a ceremonial service with auxiliary bishop Heinrich Janssen the restored church including restored high-altar were inaugurated on the 13th of December 2008.

Image Copyright: Hartmut Golomb

Church garden

A special jewel is the church garden at the northern side of St. Johannes Baptistae. It is ideal for resting and reflecting and offers a wonderful view onto the dike hinterland.

Image Copyright: Hartmut Golomb

Protestant church Wesel-Bislich

The small hall church was built from 1729 - 1730. It was destroyed during the 2nd World War and between 1948 - 1950 in its original form rebuilt. The tower design is remarkable. Above the roof area is an octagonal bell floor with a slated imperial roof. The architecture wasn't common in the Rhineland.