ecumenical church center

The Ökumenisches Kirchenzentrum in Langendorf is a church complex in the municipality of Langendorf, right next to the city of Solothurn in the canton of the same name. It is regarded as the first ecumenical church centre in Switzerland, with a Reformed and a Roman Catholic congregation sharing a single set of buildings.

What makes this place unusual?

The complex opened in October 1971. The push came from the Second Vatican Council of 1964, which opened the Catholic Church to dialogue with other denominations. Both Langendorf parishes needed new churches in the 1960s, and the available land made a joint solution practical. More than fifty years on, Catholics and Reformed worshipping under one roof still sets the site apart.

Who designed it?

The Zurich architect Manuel Pauli won the design competition in 1966. Construction ran from 1970 to 1971, and the centre is considered his principal work. His style is placed within the sculptural current of postwar architecture, and writers point to the influence of Louis Kahn and Le Corbusier.

What does the complex look like?

The buildings are made of exposed concrete elements and rest on a shared foundation. On the plan, the bell tower stands to the west, the Reformed church to the north and the Catholic church to the south. Above ground the two sanctuaries are separate structures; on the lower level the rooms flow into one another. Each congregation keeps its own place of worship while sharing the facilities beneath.

Is the site protected?

Yes. By a decision of 27 September 2011, the government of the canton of Solothurn placed the centre under heritage protection. The ruling describes it as a pioneering work of national significance in postwar Swiss church architecture.

How should you visit?

The centre is a working place of worship and community life for both parishes, so plan your visit around services and respect them. Service times and events are listed on the websites of the Reformed and Catholic parishes of Langendorf. It combines well with a trip to Solothurn, the baroque town on the Aare a few kilometres away.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Ökumenisches Kirchenzentrum?

In Langendorf, canton of Solothurn, beside the city of Solothurn in north-western Switzerland.

When was it built?

It opened in 1971; the design was chosen in a competition in 1966.

Who is the architect?

Manuel Pauli of Zurich. The centre is regarded as his most important work.

Is it a listed monument?

Yes. It has been protected since 2011 under a decision of the Solothurn cantonal government.

Are the two churches connected?

Above ground they are two separate sanctuaries, but they share one foundation and their lower levels open into each other.