St. Nicholas shared church, so-called mountain church

St. Nicholas Church, known as the Bergkirche, in Rheinau stands on a rise above the old town in the canton of Zurich, northern Switzerland, close to the German border. Since the early 17th century, Reformed and Catholic congregations have both held services under its roof. It is the last surviving shared church of this kind in the canton of Zurich.

Why is it called the "mountain church"?

The name Bergkirche comes from its setting. The building sits on elevated ground over the village and is visible from a distance. The federal inventory of Swiss townscapes (ISOS) notes that it links the upper and lower parts of Rheinau and shapes the settlement's skyline. It lies at roughly 47.644 N, 8.603 E.

What is its history?

A parish church dedicated to St. Nicholas existed here by the 13th century, and in 1296 it was attached to the nearby Rheinau monastery. The earlier building collapsed in 1573. Its replacement went up in 1578-79 under Abbot Johann Theobald Werlin von Greiffenberg, with a design that echoes the Romanesque monastery church. It is a late Gothic hall church that the canton's heritage records treat as unusual in Zurich.

How does the shared use work?

When the new church was finished, only Protestants could use it. From 1609 Catholics were admitted as well. The terms were hammered out in lengthy talks that, according to the sources, ran until 1638. Both congregations still use the same nave, and the Zurich heritage inventory lists the church as an object of more than local significance.

What happened in 2004?

On 6 August 2004, lightning struck the church. The resulting fire destroyed the roof and its small bell turret. After restoration, the church reopened in 2006.

How to visit

Combine the church with a stroll through Rheinau and a look at the former monastery on its island in the bend of the Rhine. The climb from the lower town is short. The interior may be closed outside service times, so check the parish websites before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Is it a Catholic or a Protestant church? Both. Since 1609 the Reformed and Catholic communities have held their own services here.

Why is it called the Bergkirche? It stands on a height in the upper part of Rheinau. In German the name means "mountain church".

When was the current building put up? It was rebuilt in 1578-79 after its predecessor collapsed in 1573.

Did the 2004 fire destroy the whole church? No. The roof and bell turret burned, and the church reopened in 2006 after repairs.