Reformierte Kirche Uetikon am See

The Reformed Church in Uetikon am See (Reformierte Kirche Uetikon) crowns a ridge on the southern edge of the village, on the right shore of Lake Zurich in the canton of Zurich. It is the parish church of the local Reformed congregation, with roots in a 15th-century chapel and a main building dating from the late 1600s. The terrace in front looks out over the lake toward the mountains.

How did the church come about?

Until 1682, Uetikon belonged to the parish of Meilen as one of its outlying districts. A first chapel went up in 1429 on the Rütihalde hill, now called Kirchbüel. After the Reformation, services in the village lapsed for a while. Independence came with the backing of the estate owner Heinrich Lochmann-Hirzel: separation from Meilen was granted in 1680, and the church was built in 1681-82. Hans Felix Gossweiler became the first pastor. Patronage lay with the Zurich Lochmann family until 1760, then passed to the Zurich Small Council.

In 1924 the building was extended westward, adding roughly two hundred seats. The organ dates from 1953.

What will you see?

A tower and a hilltop setting make the church easy to spot from around the village. The nave seats about 265 people and the gallery adds roughly 100 more. It remains a working place of worship, so keep your voice down inside. For deeper history, including the bells, tower clock, cemetery and parsonage, the parish recommends Peter Ziegler's book Uetikon am See, available at the village library.

How do you get there?

The address is Gartenstrasse 24, 8707 Uetikon am See. The S-Bahn runs from Zurich and Rapperswil (lines S6 and S7, about every 30 minutes), and bus 920 connects from Meilen. From the north, Gartenstrasse leads up to the church. Only a few blue-zone spaces sit beside it; paid underground garages at the Gemeindehaus and the "Backsteingebäude" are a 3-5 minute walk away.

When should you visit?

The church is open to visitors daily from 9:00 to 17:00, including for a quiet moment. Pick a clear day, when the terrace shows the lake and the Alps. Service times and events are posted on the Uetikon Reformed parish website.

What else is nearby?

Uetikon sits on the slopes of the Pfannenstiel, and winegrowing was a pillar of its economy from the late Middle Ages. The Chemische Fabrik Uetikon, founded in 1818, is regarded as Switzerland's oldest chemical company still operating. The Catholic church of St. Francis, completed in 2008 and recognised with architecture awards, is also in the village, so both churches fit into a single walk.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No fee is listed; the church is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00.

When was the church built? The present church dates from 1681-82. An earlier chapel on the hill was built in 1429.

Can you see the lake from the church? Yes. The church terrace overlooks Lake Zurich and the mountains beyond.

Where can you park? A few blue-zone spaces are by the church. More parking is in underground garages 3-5 minutes away on foot.