The Church of St. John the Baptist in Kaltinėnai was one of the first churches established in the Samogitia region, built at the command of Grand Duke Vytautas during his second visit to Samogitia for its Christianization. It was one of seven churches that Vytautas founded in Samogitia. Later, Vytautas donated ten local inhabitants and their land to the bishop of Samogitia, entrusting the parish priest with their administration. Consequently, the parish was directly subordinate to the bishop for approximately 400 years. The Kaltinėnai parish was established in 1416.
Over its long history of around 600 years, the parish has had five previous churches, built in 1416, 1613, 1732, 1826, and 1886. All previous churches, according to historical records, were destroyed by fire. The last church was destroyed in 1988, and the current church is the sixth, reconstructed in 1995.
Notable features of the church include:
- A monumental statue of Christ, created by sculptor Alfonsas Vaura.
- A magnificent stained-glass window above the Christ statue, designed by Vytautas Švarlys in 2013.
- Beautifully designed Stations of the Cross, rendered in stained glass in the church hall by Vytautas Švarlys.
- Original Stations of the Cross and digital organs that enhance the church's ambiance.
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