Römisch-katholische Kirche Brünisried

The Roman Catholic church in Brünisried (German: Römisch-katholische Kirche Brünisried, French: Église catholique de Brünisried) is a church built in 1971 in the small municipality of Brünisried, canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. It sits in a linear village about 12 km southeast of the city of Fribourg, at 46.7603 N, 7.2795 E.

What is this church and when was it built?

The present building dates from 1971. It replaced an earlier church from 1919 dedicated to Saint Philomena, which served as a branch church of the parish of Rechthalten. For decades the village therefore had its own place of worship without being a full parish of its own. Today the church belongs to the combined Rechthalten-Brünisried community.

What is the village's background?

Brünisried first shows up in written records in 1294 as Brunisriet. From 1445 to 1798 it formed part of the Rechthalten parish and of Fribourg's Old Land (Alte Landschaft). The municipality covers the main village and the hamlets of Berg, Holzgassa and Menzisberg. It lies in the Sense district (French: district de la Singine), a bilingual area where German dominates, so you will meet place names in both languages on maps and signs.

What else is there to see nearby?

A visit pairs well with a walk to the Buchenkapelle, a pilgrimage chapel in the woods dedicated to Saint Anthony. The date 1661 appears under the porch roof, and local tourism information says a hermit already lived at the site in the late 16th century. The chapel belongs to the Rechthalten-Brünisried parish today, and a traditional Mass is held there on Saint Anthony's day.

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

Brünisried lies at the edge of the Fribourg Pre-Alps, a short distance from the cantonal capital, so a car or local transport from Fribourg is the easiest way in. The church works as a quiet stop on a day out in the area. Go during daylight and outside service times if you want to see the interior in peace, and check Mass times with the Rechthalten-Brünisried parish.

Frequently asked questions

When was the church in Brünisried built? The current building dates from 1971. An earlier church dedicated to Saint Philomena went up in 1919.

Is it a separate parish? It belongs to the Rechthalten-Brünisried community. Historically the village was part of the Rechthalten parish from 1445.

Which name should I search for? In German, Römisch-katholische Kirche Brünisried; in French, Église catholique de Brünisried. The region is bilingual, with German in the majority.

What can I see close by? The Buchenkapelle, a woodland chapel to Saint Anthony dated 1661, and the village itself with its hamlets of Berg, Holzgassa and Menzisberg.