Bullingerkirche

Bullingerkirche in Zurich is a post-war Reformed Protestant church in the Hard quarter of Kreis 4. Brothers Hans and Kurt Pfister designed it, and it went up between 1953 and 1956 at Bullingerstrasse 4a. At the time, Hard was a fast-growing neighbourhood, and this was its first church of its own.

Who was Bullinger?

The church carries the name of Heinrich Bullinger (1504–1575), the sixteenth-century Zurich reformer who took over from Ulrich Zwingli as head of the city's church. He led it for almost five decades, and his Second Helvetic Confession of 1566 shaped Reformed congregations well beyond Switzerland. The name ties this modern building to one of the central figures of the Zurich Reformation.

What will you see?

The tower dominates the building: open in design and monumental in scale. From the pavement it looks imposing, yet the five bells hanging inside seem almost modest. H. Rüetschi AG of Aarau cast them in 1956. Swiss broadcaster SRF describes them as the deepest-sounding peal in Zurich, second only to the famous bell ensemble of the Pauluskirche.

The design belongs to the 1950s. It was built as a working parish church rather than a sightseeing stop, which makes it a good example of post-war sacred architecture in the city. For deeper reading on the design, the University of Bern's inventory of Swiss sacred buildings points to "Reformierte Kirchen Zürich" (2006, pp. 54–57).

Why is the church in the news?

Today the building serves as a temporary home for Zurich's political bodies. While the Rathaus in the old town is being renovated, the Kantonsrat (cantonal parliament) and the city's Gemeinderat (municipal council) meet here. According to SRF, both are expected to move back around 2027. Check ahead whether a session is on, as that can affect access to the interior.

How to fit it into a trip

The church stands in Kreis 4, outside the tight core of the old town, so it pairs well with a walk through the districts west of the main station. If the Zurich Reformation interests you, start at the Grossmünster, where Zwingli preached, then continue to Bullingerkirche to see how his successor's memory lives on in a modern church name. For fans of mid-century architecture and church bells, it is a rewarding stop off the usual route.

Frequently asked questions

When was Bullingerkirche built?

Between 1953 and 1956, to a design by the brothers Hans and Kurt Pfister.

What denomination is it?

Evangelical Reformed. It stands in the Hard quarter of Kreis 4 and was the first church of that part of Zurich.

Who is it named after?

Heinrich Bullinger, the sixteenth-century Zurich reformer and Zwingli's successor.

Does parliament really meet inside?

Yes, temporarily. The Kantonsrat and Gemeinderat sit here during the Rathaus renovation, with a return planned for around 2027.

What is special about the tower?

It is open and monumental, and its five bells from 1956 form the deepest peal in the city after the Pauluskirche.