St. Gallus Reformed Church

St. Gallus Reformed Church (Evangelische Kirche St. Gallus) is a parish church in Bussnang, in the Swiss canton of Thurgau. It is among the oldest places of worship in the area, with a founding date traditionally set at 885. The church stands on Puregass in the municipality of Bussnang, which has included the neighbouring village of Oberbussnang since 1996.

What is the history of St. Gallus church?

The church was first named after Saint Gall, the Irish missionary linked with the Lake Constance region. In 1123 it was rededicated to John the Baptist, which is why sources use both names. The right of patronage, meaning influence over appointing the parish priest, changed hands several times. It belonged first to the lords of Bussnang, then passed to the Order of St John commandery at Tobel in 1464, to the canton of Thurgau in 1809, and to the municipality of Bussnang in 1830.

A 1985 anniversary booklet, "1100 Jahre Kirche St. Gallus zu Bussnang", was written by pastor Klaus Stahlberger and is held by the Thurgau State Archive. The archive also keeps building plans from 1935 and files on works carried out between 1961 and 1993.

Why is the church Reformed?

The parish adopted the Reformation as a whole in 1529, under the influence of the reformer Johannes Zwick. The Catholic Mass was reintroduced in Bussnang in 1596, so for the following centuries two confessions shared one building. This arrangement, known as parity, ended in 1935 when the Catholics built a round church of their own. Since then St. Gallus has served the Reformed congregation.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The church is in Bussnang, along the route between Weinfelden and Wil. Its coordinates are roughly 47.558° N, 9.082° E. Oberbussnang, a farming village on the Furtbach stream, lies next door and has shared Bussnang's church history since the early Middle Ages. You can reach the village by car from Weinfelden or Wil, or by public transport to Bussnang.

What else is nearby?

The Catholic church of St. Joseph, a round building from the period after 1935, stands in the same place. Seeing both churches shows the confessional divide that shaped life in the canton.

Frequently asked questions

When was St. Gallus church founded?

Sources give 885. The parish celebrated its 1100th anniversary in 1985.

Are services held in the church?

Yes, it is an active church of the Reformed parish of Bussnang. The parish publishes current service times.

How does St. Gallus differ from St. Joseph's in Bussnang?

St. Gallus is the older, Reformed church. St. Joseph's is Catholic and was built as the shared-use arrangement ended in 1935.

Where can I read more about its history?

The Thurgau State Archive holds building plans and the 1985 anniversary publication. The Historical Dictionary of Switzerland also covers the basic dates in its entry on Bussnang.