St. Joseph Catholic Church

St. Joseph Catholic Church (Kirche St. Josef) in Oberbussnang sits in the municipality of Bussnang, canton of Thurgau, in north-eastern Switzerland. A compact 1930s building with a circular floor plan, it has anchored the local Catholic community since 1935. It stands on Puregass, at roughly 47.558 N, 9.081 E.

Why does Bussnang have a separate Catholic church?

The Bussnang parish turned Protestant in 1529 under the preacher Johannes Zwick. Catholic Mass returned in 1596, and in 1639 the Rosenbach agreement eased confessional disputes. For centuries both communities shared the old church of St. Gall. According to the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, the shared arrangement ended in 1935, when a new Catholic church was built. The Thurgau State Archive dates the start of construction to 1934 and holds a 1938 chronicle of the building project.

What will you see?

The shape is the main draw. Sources describe it as a Rundkirche, a round church. In a region of Swiss villages dominated by traditional long-naved churches with a tower, a circular plan stands out at once. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Basel, which covers Thurgau, and the church is dedicated to St. Joseph.

It pairs well with the older Reformed church of St. Gall in Bussnang, whose origins go back to 885. Two buildings separated by roughly a thousand years of history tell the story of how two confessions lived side by side here.

How do you get to Oberbussnang?

Oberbussnang lies in the Weinfelden district, west of Weinfelden and south of Lake Constance. The easiest approach is by rail to Weinfelden, the district's main town, then by car or local public transport. Timetables are on the Swiss SBB journey planner.

When should you visit?

The exterior can be seen year-round. The interior is usually open around services, so check Mass times on the Catholic parish website. Spring and early autumn give the best light and views over the rolling Thurgau countryside.

FAQ

Is this the same church as St. Gallus in Bussnang? No. St. Gall is the old Reformed church. St. Joseph is a separate Catholic church from the 1930s.

When was St. Joseph built? Construction began in 1934, and by 1935 the new Catholic church had ended the shared use of one church by both confessions.

What shape is the building? It is a round church, a Rundkirche.

Can you go inside? Mainly during services. The Catholic parish publishes the times.