Friedenskirche

Friedenskirche in Olten (Church of Peace) is the largest Reformed church in the Olten district, standing at Reiserstrasse 91 in the canton of Solothurn, Switzerland. It belongs to the Evangelical Reformed parish of Olten and ranks among the town's notable twentieth-century religious buildings.

What is the Friedenskirche in Olten?

The church was built between 1928 and 1929 to replace an earlier church dating from 1860. That older building stood on Sälistrasse, today's Von-Roll-Strasse, and is linked with Niklaus Riggenbach, the cog-railway pioneer. The new church is credited to architect Fritz von Niederhäusern, born in 1876 in Oberhofen on Lake Thun. He worked in Olten from 1902 and also designed the Hotel Schweizerhof and the town's historical museum building, among others.

What can you see here?

The nave seats about 760 people, which makes it the biggest Reformed church hall in the district. The highlight is the pneumatic organ of 1930, built by the Männedorf firm Th. Kuhn (opus 639). Its sound was altered in 1956, and in 2008 the Solothurn cantonal government placed the instrument under heritage protection, with plans to restore it to its original state. If you enjoy organ music or Swiss church architecture of the interwar years, the building deserves a stop on a walk through town.

How do you get there?

The church sits at Reiserstrasse 91, in a residential part of Olten. The town is a major railway junction, so Zurich, Bern, Basel and Lucerne are all roughly thirty to sixty minutes away by train. From Olten station you can walk to the church or take local city transport.

When should you visit?

The building serves a working parish, so the easiest way inside is during services or cultural events such as organ concerts. Check the Reformed parish of Olten for current opening times. Pair the visit with the old town and the other churches of Olten.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Friedenskirche in Olten?

At Reiserstrasse 91 in Olten, canton of Solothurn, Switzerland.

When was it built?

Between 1928 and 1929, replacing a church from 1860.

Is the organ a protected monument?

Yes. The 1930 Kuhn organ was entered in the register of protected monuments of the canton of Solothurn in 2008.

Is it the same as the Friedenskirche in Potsdam?

No. The Potsdam Friedenskirche stands in Sanssouci Park in Germany and has no connection to the church in Olten.