Reformierte Kirche Gebenstorf

The Reformed Church in Gebenstorf (Reformierte Kirche Gebenstorf) is a Neo-Gothic parish church in the canton of Aargau, Switzerland. Its tall, slender spire rises above the moated castle at the top of the village and can be seen from far around.

Why does Gebenstorf have two churches?

Gebenstorf was one of the few religiously mixed communities in the former County of Baden, where Catholics and Protestants shared a single church after the Reformation. The two confessions split in 1888, and the old shared building was pulled down in 1889. The Reformed congregation then built its own church on Hinterrebenstrasse, designed by architect Paul Reber and completed between 1889 and 1891. The Catholic church of St. Blasius, by Otto Dorer of Baden, went up at about the same time. Together the two buildings define the village skyline.

What can you see outside?

This is a Neo-Gothic hall church with a three-sided choir. A tall front tower with a steep pointed spire anchors the facade, flanked by two low annexes with transverse gables. Buttresses support the side walls, with pointed-arch windows between them. The church forms a compact group with the 1767 vicarage and the parish hall.

What is inside?

A single nave leads to a choir of the same width. The pulpit stands on the choir's end wall with choir stalls on either side. Tie-beam trusses divide the ceiling and walls, and painted ornament decorates the ceiling panels, wall joints and window frames. A west gallery rests on two wooden posts, and its balustrade carries carved tracery. The two choir windows still hold their original stained glass.

Is the church protected?

Yes. It was placed under cantonal protection in 1967 and federal protection in 1972, and it is rated a monument of regional significance (category B).

How do you get there, and when should you visit?

Gebenstorf lies between Baden and Brugg, close to where the Limmat meets the Aare. Regular trains and buses connect it with both towns, and the church is a short uphill walk from the village centre towards the castle. It is an active church of the Birmenstorf-Gebenstorf-Turgi parish, so you will usually see the interior during services and parish events. The exterior and surroundings are open to view year-round, and afternoon light suits the tower best.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Reformed Church in Gebenstorf?

Paul Reber was the architect, and construction ran from 1889 to 1891.

What style is the church?

It is Neo-Gothic, with pointed-arch windows, buttresses and a tall tower topped by a steep spire.

Does the interior keep original features?

Yes. The original stained glass in the choir windows survives, along with painted decoration and a gallery with carved tracery.

Is the old Gebenstorf church still standing?

No. The earlier shared church was demolished in 1889, after the confessions separated in 1888. Two new churches, Reformed and Catholic, replaced it.

What else is nearby?

Next to the church stands the vicarage from 1767, and the Catholic St. Blasius church from 1887 to 1889 is close by. All of it sits above Gebenstorf's moated castle.