Reformierte Kirche Worb

The Reformed Church in Worb (Reformierte Kirche Worb) stands in the centre of Worb, a few kilometres east of Bern in Switzerland. Once the parish church of St Maurice, it grew out of a site used since the early Middle Ages and is a rewarding stop for anyone interested in Swiss history and sacred art.

What is the history of Worb church?

Excavations in the 1980s revealed an early medieval burial ground on the spot. A timber post-built church is thought to have stood here as early as the 7th or 8th century. The surviving nave with its semicircular apse dates from the 11th century, and in the 13th century a larger rectangular chancel replaced the apse.

In the 16th century the Bernese Diesbach family acquired the church patronage rights and had the old Romanesque chancel replaced by a long choir, shaping the interior seen today. The tower has Romanesque or late medieval lower parts (sources disagree on the date), while the bell storey and pointed spire were added shortly after 1700. A fire damaged the church in 1940, followed by restoration work between 1940 and 1943.

What can you see inside?

The highlight is the stained glass in the choir, completed around 1521. It survived the iconoclasm of 1528 that accompanied the Reformation in Bern, thanks to the patronage of the lords of Worb castle. One window shows St Maurice alongside St Ursus.

Former lords of the manor were buried in the choir, among them Christoph von Graffenried (1661-1743), founder of New Bern in North Carolina. Their skeletons were uncovered in 1983 by the Archaeological Service of the Canton of Bern. Restoration also revealed fragments of 15th-century wall paintings.

How do you get to the church?

Worb lies in the canton of Bern, within the capital's urban area, and is linked to the city by regional rail and bus. The church sits in the old part of the village near Worb Castle, at roughly 46.930 N, 7.564 E. It is an easy walk from the central stops.

When should you visit?

Daytime is best, when light falls on the choir windows. The Reformed parish of Worb (Reformierte Kirchgemeinde Worb) publishes opening times and service schedules, so check its website before you go. The church is in active use, and visits may be limited during services and concerts.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the church dedicated to? St Maurice, the soldier-martyr, who is also the patron of other Swiss churches.

How old is the building? The nave dates from the 11th century, on a site with earlier timber and burial remains. The choir and tower were built over the following centuries.

Is it a listed monument? Yes, it appears in the Swiss inventory of cultural property (KGS).

What else is nearby? Worb Castle, whose lords long held the church patronage, and the old village centre.