Reformierte Kirche Thalwil

Reformierte Kirche Thalwil (the Reformed Church of Thalwil) is a classicist Protestant church on the shore of Lake Zurich in the canton of Zurich. It sits on a rocky rise known as the "Platte", so it is visible from the water and from across the lake. Switzerland counts it among its major classicist church buildings, and it is a protected monument.

What is the history of the church?

A church in Thalwil is first recorded in 1159, when the village appears in a document as "tellowilare". The patron saint is St Martin. The present building went up in 1846–1847 to replace an older church, designed by Hans Ulrich Schmid and Ferdinand Stadler. In 1943 a fire gutted the interior, and reconstruction lasted until 1946. The tower received a new concrete top in the process.

What will you see inside and out?

The plan is a Greek cross, making it a "Querkirche" where seating is gathered around a central space. Tall round-arched windows pierce the facades, and a dentil frieze runs beneath the eaves. A porch with two Ionic columns shelters the entrance. Inside, look for the stained-glass windows by Max Hunziker (1946) and the side and rear galleries, which hold about 450 people.

What about the organs and bells?

The church has two full-size organs. The Kuhn organ of 1946 (49 stops) stands in the choir and has a French-style sound; it replaced a 1913 Goll organ lost in the fire. The second is an 1865 instrument by Friedrich Haas, returned to the church and installed on the gallery in 1992 after the 1989–1992 interior renovation. It is the last work of its builder and the only one largely preserved in its original form. Five bells hang in the tower, cast in 1946 by H. Rüetschi AG of Aargau.

How do you get there?

Thalwil lies on the western lakeshore, roughly 15 km south of central Zurich, and has its own railway station on the lakeside line. The church stands on the hillside above the centre, near 47.290 N, 8.569 E. From the station it is a short walk uphill through the village streets.

When is the best time to visit?

This is a working parish church, so the easiest way inside is a concert or service. Check the parish calendar in Thalwil before you go. Daylight shows the interior best, as it passes through the stained glass. The grounds offer a view over the lake.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the church?

Hans Ulrich Schmid and Ferdinand Stadler. Construction finished in 1847.

Is it the oldest church in Thalwil?

Worship has taken place here since the Middle Ages, with a first mention in 1159. The current building dates from the mid-19th century and was rebuilt after the 1943 fire.

How many organs does it have?

Two: the 1946 Kuhn organ in the choir and the 1865 Haas organ on the gallery.

Is the church a listed monument?

Yes. It is protected and regarded as an important example of Swiss classicist architecture.