Reformierte Kirche und Pfarrhaus

The Reformed Church and Rectory (Reformierte Kirche und Pfarrhaus) in Tenniken form a small heritage ensemble in the canton of Basel-Landschaft, northern Switzerland. The church crowns a hill above the village, and the rectory sits at the foot of it. Both are listed in the cantonal inventory of protected monuments.

What will you see in Tenniken?

The Protestant church stands at Kirchrain 2, on a rise east of the built-up village. A walled graveyard surrounds it, so the hilltop reads as one compact site. The chancel was rebuilt around 1515.

The interior shows the mark of the Reformation: galleries were added and the chancel arch was taken out, turning the space into a preaching hall. A thorough renovation in 1941 kept the exterior intact but reconstructed the inside, bringing back the chancel arch and removing the side gallery.

What makes the rectory worth a look?

The rectory at Alte Landstrasse 23/25 grew in three building phases. Its oldest section is the three-storey central block of 1559, built in late Gothic style. It was extended in the 17th and 18th centuries. A sundial marks the south gable, and some rooms inside are wood-panelled. The former parsonage barn stands in front of the house as part of the same group. The cantonal authorities have protected the building since 1969.

What is the parish history?

A church of St Mary in Tenniken is already recorded in 1435. Since the Reformation in 1529 the village has formed its own independent parish. The present arrangement of the interior is a result of that change of confession, while the early 16th-century structure remains.

How should you visit?

The rectory is a lived-in parish building, so view it from outside: the facade, the sundial and the neighbouring barn. The walk uphill from the rectory to the church is short, and the graveyard hill gives a good view over the village layout. The ensemble lies at roughly 47.436 N, 7.813 E. Check the parish or municipal website before planning to go inside the church, as opening times vary.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Tenniken? In the canton of Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland, near Sissach.

How old is the church? The chancel dates from about 1515. The parish is mentioned as early as 1435.

Is the rectory a listed building? Yes. Its oldest part dates to 1559, and cantonal protection has applied since 1969.

Was the church altered after the Reformation? Yes. Galleries were added, the chancel arch was removed, and in 1941 the interior was thoroughly renovated while the exterior was preserved.