Reformierte Kirche mit Pfarrhaus

The Reformed Church with rectory in Thierachern is a listed ensemble in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, in a municipality less than five kilometres from the centre of Thun. The church has medieval roots and took its present form in an early 18th-century rebuild.

What is the history of Thierachern church?

St. Martin's church (Martinskirche) is first recorded in 1228 and counts among the twelve Lake Thun churches named in the Strättligen chronicle. The original building was a Romanesque hall with an apse. Between 1706 and 1708 the architect Abraham Dünz the Younger enlarged it into the church visitors see now.

Patronage of the church passed through several owners before the city of Bern acquired it in 1773. The parish took in Uetendorf in 1578 and Pohlern in 1922.

What will you see?

The church and the neighbouring rectory (Pfarrhaus) form one architectural ensemble. It suits anyone interested in rural Reformed church architecture from the Dünz period and the parish buildings that go with it. The site sits at around 610 m above sea level in a municipality with no single compact village centre; it is made up of Wahlen, Dorf, upper, middle and lower Schwand, and Brügg.

How do you get to Thierachern?

The village lies on the left bank of the Aare, just beyond Thun, under 5 km from the town centre. The postcode is 3634. Thun makes a practical base, and a visit combines easily with a Lake Thun boat trip or a stroll through Thun's old town.

What else is worth knowing about the municipality?

Thierachern has about 2,600 residents and covers 7.5 km². In 1841 it sold roughly 23% of its area, common pasture, to the Swiss Confederation for the Thun military training ground. The area remains semi-rural, and most working residents commute elsewhere. The municipality is twinned with Sezimovo Ústí in the Czech Republic.

When should you visit?

Daytime works best, as part of a walk around the Thun area. Spring and early autumn give good light and mild weather for walking the country lanes. The interior is typically open during services and parish events, so check the parish's information before you go.

Frequently asked questions

When was the church in Thierachern built? It is first mentioned in 1228; the present building dates from 1706–1708.

Who rebuilt the church? Abraham Dünz the Younger, who enlarged the earlier Romanesque apse hall.

How far is it from Thun? Under 5 km.

Who is the church dedicated to? St. Martin; its historical name is Martinskirche.