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About this place
Temple Saint-Paul in Gland is the Protestant (Reformed) church of this lakeside town in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. A modernist building from the late 1960s, it stands out for its tall freestanding bell tower in the middle of town. It should not be confused with Gland's Catholic church, which is dedicated to St John the Baptist.
What is this place?
The church opened on 1 December 1968, when Gland had only about 2,050 inhabitants. Today it serves a parish that also covers the neighbouring communes of Vich and Coinsins. The site includes the church itself, a paved forecourt with the tower, and a parish hall below it that seats about 80 people.
What will you see?
The design is plain and restrained. Walls of in-situ poured concrete alternate with tall stained-glass strips, letting plenty of daylight into a calm interior. The 25-metre campanile rises over the whole complex, set among landscaping typical of its era. Inside is a pipe organ that was enlarged and refurbished in 2019.
The building is listed in the Vaud architectural survey (recensement architectural du canton de Vaud) with a rating of 3, meaning it is of local interest, and has been on the inventory since 1981. The municipality is responsible for its protection.
How to visit
This is a working place of worship, so the easiest way in is to come around service times or ask the parish about access. Outside, you can walk the forecourt and see the tower and the building's clean volumes from the street. Gland has a station on the regional Geneva–Lausanne line, and the centre is a short walk from it. The town sits roughly midway between Geneva and Nyon.
The municipality plans an energy-efficiency renovation of the church and parish hall, plus restoration of the campanile. The church is meant to stay in use during the works, though some disruption is possible when you visit.
Frequently asked questions
Is Saint-Paul in Gland a Catholic church?
No, it is a Reformed Protestant temple. Gland's Catholic parish has its own church, dedicated to St John the Baptist and consecrated in 2022.
When was it built?
It was inaugurated on 1 December 1968.
Is it a listed monument?
It holds a rating of 3 in the Vaud architectural survey and has been on the inventory since 1981 as a building of local importance.
How tall is the bell tower?
It is 25 metres high, which makes it a clear landmark in central Gland.
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