Maihingen is a municipality in the Bavarian district of Donau-Ries. The former Minorite monastery with the monastery church of Maria Immaculata is located there.
In the 15th century, plans were made to begin construction of the monastery in Maihingen to stimulate pilgrimages. Initially, the Augustinian Order was persuaded to support the founding and construction of the monastery. However, the site proved too difficult, and the Augustinians abandoned the project. The same applied to the Benedictines and the Servite Brothers who followed them.
The Birgittine Order, which was still little known at the time, entered the conversation. After several guarantees and documents from the count, the bishop, and even Pope Pius II, the Birgittines agreed to build and occupy a monastery.
In 1473, the first sisters moved into the makeshift convent buildings and church.
The order enjoyed a flourishing until the mid-16th century. A steady influx of visitors and economic prosperity. But the Reformation and several wars took their toll on the monastery. A decline began. The last remaining nuns moved to Altomünster.
The founding family then entrusted the Minorites, a branch of the Franciscan Order, with the administration of the monastery. In 1607, the monastery was handed over to the Franciscans, but the Birgittine Order refused to accept this, sued, and lost.
The monastery buildings were in poor condition, both the convent building and the church.
After the Thirty Years' War, an economic upswing began. Guardian Hermann Partenschlag, chairman of the monastery, laid the foundation stone of the new convent building in 1703. The master builder was the Minorite brother Ulrich Beer, a member of the Beer dynasty of master builders from Vorarlberg.
In 1712, the Guardian laid the foundation stone for the new church. Cajetan Kegelsperger, a fellow brother of Beer, carried out the construction according to Beer's plans. In 1714, Kegelsperger died, and master mason Kaspar Buchmüller and carpenter Johann Sonderhalter took over construction supervision. The shell was completed in 1717. Buchmüller also oversaw the stuccoing work, but his efforts were unsuccessful and he was dismissed from his position. Other stucco workers, Sebastian Bluemb and Hans Gabriel, took over the work. In 1718, the stucco on the ceiling was severely damaged and crumbling. It was decided to remove it entirely and paint the exposed areas with frescoes. Stuccoing the ceiling was abandoned. The painter Martin Speer carried out the work.
A special feature of the church are the altars, both the high altar and the side altars. These are similarly constructed, with two columns to the left and right of the excerpt, as well as the white cornice and frieze. These friezes on the high altar visually continue the side galleries. The red trim is also the same on the altars. This color scheme is also found on the pulpit. This creates a harmonious overall impression.
A highlight of the church is the Baumeister organ on the west gallery. Built by Johann Martin Baumeister between 1734 and 1737, it is considered the most original Baroque organ in Germany.
