St. Peter und Paul

St. Peter und Paul in Winterthur is a Catholic parish church in the Neuwiesen district, recognised as the first Catholic church built in the canton of Zurich after the Reformation. It stands at Wartstrasse 29a, a short walk from the city centre, and belongs to the Diocese of Chur. It suits visitors interested in Swiss religious history and nineteenth-century architecture.

Why does this church matter?

For centuries after the Reformation, Catholic worship was barred in Zurich and its surroundings. Winterthur's authorities, under city president Johann Jakob Sulzer (1821–1897), eventually permitted it. In 1862 the founding assembly of one of the canton's first Catholic parish associations met here. The church followed soon after, and since 1868 it has been the focal point of the Neuwiesen quarter. Winterthur now has eight Catholic parishes, and this one is often described as the mother parish.

What does the building look like?

The architect was Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Bareiß. The church is a single-space hall, regarded as a typical example of Zurich neo-Gothic. Original furnishings survive inside, notably the pulpit and baptismal font carved from Bernese sandstone, which heritage experts rate as works of high artistic quality. The building is listed in the inventory of monuments of supra-local importance, with protection aimed at its historic fabric and fittings.

How do you get there?

The church is in Neuwiesen, close to Winterthur main station, and takes only a few minutes on foot. Regional and InterCity trains link Winterthur with Zurich in about 20 minutes.

What else is nearby?

Neuwiesen is a quiet residential area, and Winterthur's old town, with its pedestrian Marktgasse and many museums, is within walking distance. The church fits neatly into a walk through the city's nineteenth-century growth.

Can you go inside?

It is a working parish church. Service times are published by the parish at kath-winterthur.ch. Keep quiet inside and avoid entering during liturgy.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is it? At Wartstrasse 29a in Winterthur's Neuwiesen district.

When was it built? The parish association was founded in 1862, and since 1868 the church has been the centre of Neuwiesen.

What architectural style is it? Zurich neo-Gothic, built as a hall church to a design by Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Bareiß.

Is it the same as St. Peter und Paul in Zurich? No. Zurich has its own separate parish of that name on Werdgässchen. This church is in Winterthur.