St. Konrad (Zürich)

St. Konrad in Zürich is the Roman Catholic parish church of Albisrieden, a residential district on the western side of the city. Built in the 1950s, it stands as a good example of postwar church architecture and rewards a visit if you want to see Zürich beyond the old town and the lakefront.

Where is St. Konrad?

The church sits in Albisrieden, part of Kreis 9 (District 9) of the City of Zürich. Albisrieden was a separate farming village until it was merged into the city in the twentieth century. Today it is a quiet neighbourhood with its own distinct local centre, which makes the church a natural stop on a walk through a less touristy corner of Zürich.

When was it built, and by whom?

Construction took place in the mid-1950s. Wikipedia gives 1953 to 1955, while the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland dates the work to 1954 to 1955; the sources differ only on the starting year. The plans were drawn by the architects Ferdinand Pfammatter and Walter Rieger. Pfammatter was one of Switzerland's better-known church designers of his generation, so the building is of interest to anyone following twentieth-century sacred architecture.

What is the parish like today?

St. Konrad belongs to the Diocese of Chur, in the Deanery of Stadt Zürich. A 2024 job advertisement from the parish describes a modern, open city parish of roughly 5,500 members, with about 40 groups and associations run by volunteers. It is a living congregation rather than a museum, so the interior serves first of all for services and community gatherings. A church foundation, the Kirchenstiftung St. Konrad, was set up in 2020 to support worship and pastoral work in the parish area.

How to plan a visit

Check the parish website for current service and opening times before you go. A visit fits easily into a stroll around Albisrieden, which has compact streets, the historic core of the former village and good public transport links to the rest of the city. Keep voices low and dress appropriately for a place of worship.

Frequently asked questions

When was St. Konrad built?

Between 1953 and 1955 according to Wikipedia; the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland says 1954 to 1955.

Who designed the church?

The architects Ferdinand Pfammatter and Walter Rieger.

Which district is it in?

Albisrieden, in Kreis 9 of Zürich.

Which diocese does the parish belong to?

The Diocese of Chur, Deanery of Stadt Zürich.