Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul reformed church

The Reformed church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Cossonay, known locally as the Temple de Cossonay, is among the oldest places of worship in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. It stands in the historic heart of the town, and its slender spire can be spotted from far around.

What is this church and who built it?

The church is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. Its first written record dates to 1096, when the lord of Cossonay handed the village church to the Benedictine monastery of Romainmôtier. In 1224 it passed to the Benedictines of Lutry, who set up a priory here in the later 13th century. After Bern took over Vaud in 1536 the building became Protestant, which is why people call it a "temple".

What will you see?

The real draw is the layering of centuries. The three-aisled nave dates from the 11th to 12th century and shows Cluniac influence. The choir was added in the 13th century. The bell tower, begun at Easter 1407, dominates the town skyline. The porch is a 20th-century addition.

Excavations in 1909-1911 and again in 1971-1973 uncovered earlier buildings beneath the floor. The oldest was a single-nave church from the 8th century, followed in the 9th century by a church with a three-apse choir. Few churches in the region have such a well-documented story reaching back to the early Middle Ages.

Is it a protected monument?

Yes. The church has been a cantonal historic monument since 1901. Restorations took place in 1856-1860, 1913-1914 and 1921-1923. The Swiss ISOS inventory of historic townscapes lists the church and the former priory among the medieval features that survive in Cossonay.

How do you find it?

The church sits in the centre of Cossonay, at roughly 46.614 N, 6.509 E, north-west of Lausanne. It pairs naturally with a stroll through the old town, whose fabric goes back to the Middle Ages. A major fire in the late 14th century destroyed much of the town and its archives, so rebuilding shaped what you see today.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the church in Cossonay?

Archaeology points to a first building in the 8th century. Written sources mention the church from 1096.

Is it a listed monument?

Yes, it has had cantonal monument status since 1901.

When was the tower built?

Work on the tower began at Easter 1407. It is crowned with a spire that is visible across the surrounding area.

Is it a Catholic church?

In this region "Temple" means a Protestant church. Since the Reformation, introduced by Bern in 1536, the building has served the Reformed community.

What period is the nave from?

The three-aisled nave is from the 11th to 12th century, and the choir from the 13th.