Holy Cross Catholic Church

Heilig Kreuz (Holy Cross) Catholic Church in Binningen is a Roman Catholic parish church on the southwestern edge of Basel, in the canton of Basel-Landschaft. It stands at Schlossrebenrain 11 and is regarded as one of the most significant neo-Gothic churches in the Baselbiet region. It has been a cantonally protected monument since 1997.

Where is it and what makes the setting special?

The church sits on a raised spot on the steep western slope of the Bruderholz hill, above the old village centre. That hillside position gives the building a commanding presence beyond what its size alone would suggest. Traces of a Roman farmstead were found on the site, so people lived here long before the church existed. Views open out across the valley and the rooftops of Binningen.

How did the church come about?

Binningen had been Reformed since 1529, and Catholics were a small minority for centuries. The first Catholic service took place in 1889 in the dance hall of a local inn. By 1895 the community had grown to roughly 900 people and set about building a church of its own.

The commission went to August Hardegger, a church architect from St. Gallen. Building permission and the foundation stone came in 1895; the church was consecrated in 1896, together with a new parish house. The tower followed in 1907 and received four bells in 1908. The building was, in effect, a statement of Catholic presence in a Protestant setting.

What will you see?

• A neo-Gothic exterior of Jura limestone ashlar, whose stonework drew special attention during the restoration.
• A tower added at the start of the 20th century.
• An interior with vaults uncovered around 1990, after a flat ceiling was removed.

The interior was modernised in 1954-55, and the exterior and tower were renovated in 1996-97.

How do you get there?

Binningen borders Basel directly to the southwest and is linked to the city centre by public transport. From the old village centre, the church is a short uphill walk of a few minutes. Navigation address: Schlossrebenrain 11, Binningen.

Frequently asked questions

Is the church a listed monument? Yes. It is included in the cantonal inventory of protected monuments of Basel-Landschaft and has been protected since 1997.

Who designed it? August Hardegger of St. Gallen, an architect known for Catholic church design.

When was it built? The foundation stone was laid in 1895, the church was consecrated in 1896, and the tower was added in 1907.

Is it a Protestant church? No, it is a Roman Catholic parish church. The village itself has been Reformed since 1529, which is why the building was an important milestone for local Catholics.