St. Katharina parish church

St. Katharina parish church (Pfarrkirche St. Katharina) in Gunzgen is a Catholic church in the canton of Solothurn, Switzerland, at Oberfeldweg 1. It grew out of a 17th-century chapel and today serves the village's own parish. The canton's heritage authority lists it as a protected building.

What is St. Katharina church in Gunzgen?

Gunzgen is a small village in the canton of Solothurn, set between Hägendorf and Kappel. St. Katharina is its main place of worship and the focus of local parish life. The church belongs to the Diocese of Basel, within the pastoral region of St. Verena.

What is the history of the church?

The building's story follows that of the parish. Until 1687 Gunzgen belonged ecclesiastically to Hägendorf, and afterwards to Kappel. A chapel was built in the village in 1643. When Gunzgen became an independent parish in 1860, that chapel was enlarged and became the parish church dedicated to St. Katharina, the saint of Alexandria, a widespread patron of churches across Switzerland.

Is the church a protected monument?

Yes. The Pfarrkirche St. Katharina appears on the Solothurn cantonal list of protected objects for Gunzgen, together with the Ghööl-Chrüz wayside cross at Kirchweg 10. The cantonal heritage office has also supported restoration work on the church's interior, furnishings and stained glass.

What can you see there?

This is a modest village church rather than a grand monument. Pay attention to the restored interior and stained glass, and to the way the building sits within the village. The Ghööl-Chrüz wayside cross stands nearby on Kirchweg, so you can see both heritage objects on one short walk.

How do you get there?

The church is in the centre of Gunzgen at roughly 47.315 N, 7.827 E, close to Hägendorf and Kappel and not far from Olten. You can arrive by car or by regional public transport to the nearby stations. The village is small enough that the church is within walking distance from anywhere in it.

When should you visit?

The church is in active parish use, so the best time to look around is outside service hours, when you can see the interior in peace. The parish publishes its service times. Spring and summer are pleasant for strolling, with green fields and the Jura hills around the village.

Frequently asked questions

When was St. Katharina church in Gunzgen built? The original chapel dates from 1643. In 1860, when the village became an independent parish, it was enlarged into a parish church.

Where exactly is the church? At Oberfeldweg 1 in Gunzgen, canton of Solothurn.

Is the church protected? Yes, it is on the canton of Solothurn's list of protected objects for the municipality of Gunzgen.

Which diocese does it belong to? The Diocese of Basel, in the pastoral region of St. Verena.

Since when has Gunzgen had its own parish? Since 1860. Before that the village belonged to the parish of Hägendorf and later Kappel.