Sacred Monuments in Switzerland

christian catholic town church (1807)

Olten

The Christkatholische Stadtkirche in Olten is a Classicist church in the canton of Solothurn, Switzerland, used by the Christian Catholic (Old Catholic) community. Also called Stadtkirche St. Martin, it dates from the early nineteenth century and ranks among the canton's most important religious buildings. Visit it if you want to see an interior that has kept its original furnishings. What is the Stadtkirche in Olten? Construction ran from 1806 to 1813 under Blasius Baltenschweiler (1751–1832), a carpenter and master builder from Laufenburg in Aargau. Nikolaus Purtschert (1750–1815) of Lucerne drew up the design for the main façade. The church was placed just outside the compact old town and took over from a medieval church on Ildefonsplatz, of which only the tower still stands. Some databases list the building under 1807, a year that falls within the construction period. What will you see? The appeal lies in how consistent the building is: a Classicist structure with interior fittings from the time it was built. The Swiss inventory of cultural property rates it as a site of regional significance, and the canton has protected it since a government decision in 1939. A thorough restoration in 2016–2018 included a partial redesign of the interior, so the church is in good condition today. Why does an Old Catholic parish own it? The Christian Catholic parish has held the church since 1874, a transfer tied to the Swiss Kulturkampf, the nineteenth-century conflict between the state and the Roman Catholic Church. In 1875 the synod of the Christian Catholic churches was founded in Olten, which gives the town a special place in the history of this denomination in Switzerland. How do you tell it apart from other churches in Olten? Olten has two churches connected with St. Martin. The Stadtkirche from the early 1800s is Classicist and Old Catholic. The Roman Catholic St. Martin church is a separate Neo-Romanesque basilica built in 1908–1910 to a design by August Hardegger. Check which one you are looking for before you set out. How do you get there? Olten sits in north-western Switzerland and is a major railway junction. The church stands in the town centre, within walking distance of the old town and the River Aare, at roughly 47.350 N, 7.902 E. You can walk there from the station. When should you visit? You can admire the exterior all year. The interior is open only when the parish unlocks it, so look up the current hours on the Olten Christian Catholic parish website before you go. A visit combines well with a stroll through the old town. Frequently asked questions When was the Christkatholische Stadtkirche in Olten built? Work lasted from 1806 to 1813. The year 1807 appears in some registers and lies inside that period. Who designed the church? Blasius Baltenschweiler of Laufenburg was the builder, and Nikolaus Purtschert of Lucerne designed the main façade. Is the church a protected monument? Yes. It is listed in the Swiss inventory of cultural property as regionally significant and has had cantonal protection since 1939. Is it the same as the Roman Catholic St. Martin church? No. The Roman Catholic St. Martin church in Olten is Neo-Romanesque and dates from 1908–1910.

Franciscan Church, Solothurn

The Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche) in Solothurn stands in the heart of the old town, on Barfüssergasse. It is a Gothic mendicant church from the late 13th century and now serves the Christian Catholic (Old Catholic) parish. If you are walking Solothurn's baroque centre, it makes a quiet stop with a layered past. What kind of building is it? Franciscan friars settled in Solothurn around 1280. A building survey dates the church's consecration to 1 September 1299. Its architecture follows the austere Gothic style typical of the mendicant orders, without rich decoration. After a fire in 1466 new windows were fitted in the south part, and rebuilding was finished by 1493. What is inside? The interior is not Gothic. Between 1823 and 1825 it was redesigned in the classicist style, and that is the look you see today. The contrast between the medieval shell and the calm, bright interior is the main draw. For serious art-history detail, there is a Swiss art guide to the church (Schweizerische Kunstführer no. 630, by Blank and Rutishauser, 1998). How did its history unfold? 1529 – during the Reformation the friars left, the church suffered iconoclasm, and until 1532 it served the city's Reformed congregation as a preaching hall. Mid-16th century – the Franciscans returned, and the church also acted as a house church for the neighbouring French embassy, which was based in Solothurn. 1857 – the cantonal parliament dissolved the monastery. 1877 – during the Kulturkampf the church became the seat of the newly founded Christian Catholic parish. 1984–1994 – the church underwent a complete restoration. The former convent next door, converted in 2004-05, now houses cantonal administration offices. During that work archaeologists found well-preserved remains of the medieval friary, including the old west facade of the first monastery. How do you get there, and when should you visit? The church sits in the pedestrian old town, a few minutes on foot from Solothurn railway station and St. Ursus Cathedral. Pair it with a stroll along Barfüssergasse and the surrounding lanes. The city's official page lists no fixed visiting hours, so check with the Christian Catholic parish or visit during a service, which people of any denomination may attend. Frequently asked questions Is the Franciscan Church in Solothurn still in use? Yes. The Christian Catholic parish has used it since 1877, and services are open to everyone. How old is the church? It dates from the late 13th century and was consecrated in 1299. The current interior is classicist, from 1823-1825. Do Franciscans still live here? No. The monastery was abolished in 1857, and the old convent buildings now hold cantonal offices. Can the church be rented? According to the city's tourism page, it can be rented for services through the Christian Catholic parish.

St. Josef (Winterthur-Töss)

Winterthur

St. Josef Church (Kirche St. Josef) in Winterthur is a Catholic parish church in the Töss district, canton of Zurich, Switzerland. It sits at Nägelseestrasse 46, southwest of the old town, and dates from the years just before the First World War. It is a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in early twentieth-century church architecture in the Zurich region. When was it built and by whom? The Catholics of Töss laid the foundation stone in 1913, and the church was consecrated on 30 August 1914. The Historical Dictionary of Switzerland places its construction in 1912–1913, while the parish itself dates the start of work to 1913 and the opening to 1914. It was Winterthur's third Catholic church, after St. Peter and Paul (completed 1868, the mother church of the city's Catholic parishes) and Herz Jesu in Mattenbach. The architect was Adolf Gaudy of Rorschach, on Lake Constance, who designed and planned the building. What makes it worth visiting? The cantonal heritage inventory describes St. Josef as an outstanding example of Catholic church building from the early 1900s in the canton of Zurich. Together with the parish centre built in 1968–69, it forms an ensemble of architectural and social-historical interest, reflecting how a Catholic community grew in a historically Protestant region. The interior was remodelled in 1976–77 by Robert Tanner and Felix Lötscher, the architects of the parish centre. Their work put the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council into practice, so the interior follows modern liturgical needs rather than the original 1914 layout. How do you get there? Töss lies in the southwest of Winterthur, about 3 km from the main station. Local buses and regional trains to Töss station are the easiest options; from there it is a short walk. The coordinates are roughly 47.4927° N, 8.7025° E. Winterthur itself is 20–25 minutes by train from Zurich. When should you go? This is a working parish church, so plan a visit outside service times or attend a Mass to see the interior in use. Current opening hours are published by the parish at kath-winterthur.ch. Each September, European Heritage Days open many monuments to visitors. The visit combines well with a walk around Töss and the nearby former Dominican convent. Frequently asked questions Where is St. Josef in Winterthur? At Nägelseestrasse 46 in the Töss district. Who designed it? Adolf Gaudy of Rorschach. The church was consecrated on 30 August 1914. Is the interior original? Not entirely. Robert Tanner and Felix Lötscher remodelled it in 1976–77 to reflect the liturgical reforms of Vatican II. How large is the parish? Almost 3,000 Catholics, making it the fifth largest of Winterthur's eight Catholic parishes.

Reformierte Kirche Aeugst am Albis

Aeugst am Albis

The Reformed church with rectory in Aeugst am Albis is a historic church ensemble dating from 1667, in the municipality of Aeugst am Albis, canton of Zurich, Switzerland. It belongs to the Affoltern district and sits at roughly 700 metres above sea level on the Albis ridge, above the Reuss valley and Lake Zurich. Its coordinates are 47.267 N, 8.488 E. What kind of building is it? This is a hall church: a single undivided nave with no side aisles. A square chancel with a cross vault adjoins the nave, and a coat-of-arms stone is preserved there. The window reveals and the chancel arch carry painted decoration. It is a modest building, typical of 17th-century Zurich Protestantism, with none of the lavish altars found in Catholic churches. Why was it built here? The Zurich cantonal government approved the project at the urging of the theologian Hansrudolf Wirz. His case mixed faith with defence: he argued that a church on this height would unsettle any enemy in a crisis, meaning the Catholic central Swiss cantons, with which Zurich shared confessional tension at the time. The Zurich State Archives also hold a 1668 record of a tax for the new church, taken from the Aeugst parish archive. What is there to see nearby? The church and rectory form a small, quiet ensemble in the village centre. Aeugst am Albis lies at 696 m, and the municipal territory ranges from about 536 m in the Jonental valley to about 885 m on the Albis crest. The main leisure draw is the Türlersee, one of the best-known spots for walking and swimming in this part of the canton. Footpaths lead up to the Albis ridge, so a stop at the church combines easily with a short hike. How should you visit? The church is an active Reformed parish church, so the interior is generally open mainly around services and parish events. The rectory is a working residence and is best admired from outside. Allow 20 to 30 minutes to walk around the ensemble and take photos, then spend the rest of the day at the Türlersee or on the Albis. Zurich is about half an hour away by road towards Affoltern am Albis. Frequently asked questions When was the church built? In 1667. A tax for the new church is recorded in 1668. Which denomination does it belong to? It is a Reformed (Calvinist) church within the Zurich Protestant tradition. What defines its architecture? A plain hall nave, a square chancel with a cross vault, a coat-of-arms stone and painted frames around the windows and chancel arch. What else is worth seeing in the municipality? The Türlersee and the trails along the Albis ridge, which offer views over the surrounding countryside.

Pfarrkirche St. Joseph

Welschenrohr-Gänsbrunnen

The parish church of St. Joseph (Pfarrkirche St. Josef) sits in Gänsbrunnen, a village in the Swiss canton of Solothurn that has formed the municipality of Welschenrohr-Gänsbrunnen with its neighbour since 2021. Built between 1626 and 1628, it is one of the older churches in this corner of the Thal valley and appears on the canton's list of protected monuments. What is the history of the church? The Solothurn government ordered construction in 1626, and Hans Jakob vom Staal led the work. The church was meant to strengthen the Catholic presence in an area where officials feared the spread of Anabaptism. The chosen spot lies on the northern flank of the Thal, close to the gorge where the Raus river cuts through the second Jura ridge. The result was a plain building still using late Gothic forms. Johannes Bernardus, auxiliary bishop of Basel, consecrated it on 19 October 1628, and an inscription on the chancel arch records the date. It began life as a chapel of St. Joseph and became a full parish church in 1720. The village's former French name, Saint-Joseph, comes from the same patron. How has it changed over time? The nave was enlarged as early as 1697, when a gallery and two side altars were added. The interior received a Biedermeier-style refresh in the 19th century and was redesigned again in 1927–1930. The most recent major restoration ran in two stages in 2012–2013, improving the indoor climate and conserving the furnishings. The rededication took place on 25 August 2013, and in 2014 the parish received the canton's Solothurner Heimatschutzpreis for heritage preservation. What is worth seeing? A modest 17th-century building with late Gothic character. An interior shaped by successive alterations, from the 1697 gallery to the 1927–1930 scheme. The inscription on the chancel arch commemorating the 1628 consecration. The setting itself: the village lies by the Raus gorge in the Solothurn Jura landscape. How do you get there? The church stands at Kirchstrasse 7 in Gänsbrunnen, at roughly 47.264 N, 7.471 E. You can reach it by car or by regional transport through the Thal valley; check current timetables before you travel. When should you visit? The exterior can be seen all year. The interior is usually open around services, so confirm Mass times with the parish. Late spring and summer suit walks in the surrounding countryside best. Frequently asked questions Is this the same church as the one in Welschenrohr? No. Welschenrohr's own parish church is dedicated to St. Theodul and St. Anthony of Padua and dates from 1673–1677. St. Joseph's is in Gänsbrunnen. When was St. Joseph's built? Construction ran from 1626 to 1628, with consecration on 19 October 1628. It became a parish church in 1720. Is the church a listed monument? Yes. It appears in the Solothurn cantonal list of protected objects as Pfarrkirche St. Josef, Kirchstrasse 7. Has it been restored recently? Yes. Work in 2012–2013 improved the interior climate and conserved the fittings, and the parish won the cantonal heritage award in 2014.

St. Gallus Zürich

Zürich

St. Gallus in Zürich is the Roman Catholic parish church of Schwamendingen, a district in the city's north-east. Built in the 1950s, it stands out for its parabolic vault, a separate bell tower and a vast stained-glass wall behind the altar. It belongs to the Diocese of Chur. What is this church and how did it come about? Schwamendingen was an independent municipality until it joined Zürich in 1934. Only after the Second World War, as the district grew fast, did it get its own Catholic parish. A first chapel was consecrated on 22 October 1950 and the parish was founded in 1951. The present church was built between 1955 and 1957 to plans by architects Ferdinand Pfammatter and Walter Rieger. Bishop Christianus Caminada blessed it on 23 June 1957, and Bishop Johannes Vonderach performed the solemn consecration in 1969. What will you see outside and inside? The shape was inspired by the hangars of the military airfield at nearby Dübendorf. The nave has a parabolic cross-section with a ceiling about 16.5 m high. The interior is roughly 34.5 m long and almost 22 m wide, with space for several hundred people. Next to the front stands a free-standing tower about 37.5 m tall. The city authorities refused a spot on the street, which is why it sits to the side. In 2012 it was reinforced against earthquakes and given a clock. Five bronze bells cast by H. Rüetschi in Aarau hang inside; they were blessed in May 1960. The heaviest weighs 4,100 kg, and their tuning was matched to the bells of the nearby Reformed church. Highlights of the interior: a 1987 stained-glass window designed by Fra Roberto Pasotti, covering about 260 m² of the chancel wall, glass Stations of the Cross by Paul Monnier from 1958, carved wooden figures of St. Gallus, St. Anthony and Mary by Beat Gasser, an altar, ambo, tabernacle and font reworked by Albert Wider in 1969–70, a Späth organ from 1970 (36 stops, three manuals, 2,697 pipes), a crypt fitted out in 1971 on the lower level. How do you get there? The church is on busy Dübendorfstrasse in Schwamendingen, at about 47.402 N, 8.579 E. From central Zürich it is a short public-transport ride; check the local operator's app for current connections. When is the best time to visit? Come when the church is open or during a service. Daylight shows off the stained glass best, so a sunny hour is ideal. Mass times and organ concerts are listed on the parish website. Frequently asked questions When was St. Gallus in Zürich built? Construction ran from 1955 to 1957. It was blessed in June 1957 and consecrated in 1969. Who designed it? The architects were Ferdinand Pfammatter and Walter Rieger. Why is the tower separate from the church? The city would not allow it on the street frontage, so it was placed beside the facade. It is about 37.5 m high. What is architecturally distinctive? The parabolic vault, modelled on airfield hangars, and the large 1987 stained-glass window in the chancel.

St. Matthias parish church with ossuary

Steinhausen

St. Matthias parish church with ossuary sits in the heart of Steinhausen, a small municipality in the canton of Zug, a short distance from Lake Zug. The ensemble is a heritage site of regional significance (category B in the Swiss KGS inventory, no. 7312) and pairs the church with a 17th-century charnel house beside it. What is the story behind it? A church at Steinhausen is first documented in 1173, when it belonged to the monastery of St. Blasien. By 1260 it was a daughter church of St. Martin in Baar, and in 1403 the Kappel monastery took over the patronage. In 1805 the parishioners bought the right to appoint their priest from the city of Zug. The building you see today comes from two phases. The choir and tower date from 1699–1701, when the old church was replaced and the tower received its onion dome. The nave was torn down in 1913 and rebuilt to plans by Dagobert Keiser and Richard Bracher. What is there to see at the ossuary? The ossuary was built in 1611, the year Steinhausen became an independent parish with its own burial rights. For centuries it held the community's bones, remaining in use into the early 20th century. In 2011, for the parish's 400th anniversary, artist Benno Karl Zehnder (born 1941) renovated and redesigned the interior. Two wall paintings carry a message of hope beyond death: on the west wall bones seem to transform and rise toward heaven, while behind the altar on the east wall the view opens onto a bright space. The room serves as a liturgical space during Holy Week. The ossuaries of Baar and Oberägeri are considered the most important in the canton, but Steinhausen's contemporary treatment makes it a worthwhile stop of its own. How do you get there? The church is at Zugerstrasse 6a/6b and the ossuary at Dorfplatz 1, 6312 Steinhausen. The Zurich–Zug railway runs through the municipality with S-Bahn line S5, and local buses are operated by Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe. It is a short hop from Zug. When should you visit? Visit during opening hours or services, which the parish publishes. Holy Week is a particularly meaningful time, when the ossuary is used for liturgy. Frequently asked questions When was the Steinhausen ossuary built? In 1611, when the parish became independent. Who designed the current nave? Dagobert Keiser and Richard Bracher, in 1913. The choir and tower date from around 1700. Who redesigned the ossuary? Benno Karl Zehnder, in 2011. Can I arrive by train? Yes, S5 on the Zurich–Zug line stops in Steinhausen.

San Gian (Celerina)

Celerina/Schlarigna

San Gian in Celerina/Schlarigna is a late Gothic Reformed church standing on a hill above the River Inn in the Upper Engadine, canton of Graubünden. It is a monument of national significance and the former parish church of Celerina. Two towers of different ages define its outline, and inside you will find a painted timber ceiling and 15th-century frescoes. What is San Gian? In Romansh the church is called Baselgia San Gian, the Church of St John. It occupies a hilltop where a chapel stood around the turn of the first millennium. The Historical Dictionary of Switzerland notes that this earlier structure was investigated archaeologically in 1974. The church is first mentioned in 1320, and its present form comes from a rebuilding in 1478. What will you see? Two towers. The smaller Romanesque tower dates from around 1300, when the church was still oriented to the east. It was folded into the new complex during the rebuild. The taller late Gothic tower was finished in 1520. Lightning destroyed its spire in 1682, and it was never replaced, which gives the church its unusual profile. The 1478 rebuild. The nave was extended westwards and the chancel received a vault. The church has a single apse. Timber ceiling. The painted wooden ceiling is counted among the finest and best preserved in Graubünden. It carries the coats of arms of Bishop Ortlieb von Brandis of Chur (in office 1458-1491). Frescoes. The interior holds 15th-century wall paintings. They were whitewashed during the Reformation, which is why they survive in good condition. How to visit The church sits on a hill above the village, so expect a short uphill walk. Celerina lies a few minutes from St. Moritz and is reached by Rhaetian Railway or by road. Check opening times with the Upper Engadine Reformed parish before you go, as the building is used for services and celebrations. In summer it also hosts concerts. When to go Summer is the easiest season: concerts take place and the hill path is clear. In winter Celerina is busy with skiing, and you can still admire the church from outside as part of the valley view. Conservation The Upper Engadine Reformed parish has drawn up a restoration study with estimated costs of about CHF 1.6 million. The central challenge is balancing the protection of the frescoes with use of the interior. The plan relies on conserving the paintings and creating suitable climate conditions. Frequently asked questions Is this the same San Gian as the one in Sils? No. Several churches in the Engadine carry the name San Gian. This page covers the one in Celerina/Schlarigna. How old is the church? It is documented from 1320, and its current appearance mostly reflects the 1478 rebuilding. The smaller tower is older, from about 1300. Why does one tower lack a spire? Lightning destroyed the spire of the late Gothic tower in 1682, and it was not rebuilt. Are concerts held inside? Yes, the church is also used for concerts in summer.

Reformierte Kirche Stallikon

Stallikon

The Reformed church with rectory and laundry house in Stallikon is a protected group of historic buildings in the village centre of Stallikon, canton of Zurich. It stands at Dorfstrasse 5 / Chilegasse 230 on the edge of the Albis ridge, and the Swiss inventory of cultural property (KGS no. 7667) lists it as a Category B site of regional significance. What is this place? Stallikon is a municipality in the Affoltern district, spread along the Albis ridge and the middle stretch of the Reppisch valley. The church, rectory and laundry house form the old parish core of the village. The federal inventory records the three structures as one ensemble, so they are best seen together rather than the church alone. What is the history of the church? The church of St. Stephen was first mentioned in 1157. Patronage belonged to the St. Blasien abbey in the Black Forest, which absorbed the parish in 1383. Around 1444, during the Old Zurich War, the building was burned; it was consecrated again in 1448. After the Reformation the parish tied itself more closely to Zurich. When the abbey was dissolved in 1808, patronage passed to the Grand Duke of Baden, and in 1812 it went to the canton of Zurich, which holds it today. Who uses it now? The church serves the Reformed parish of Stallikon-Wettswil, which covers Stallikon and neighbouring Wettswil. Interiors are generally seen during services and parish events, so plan a visit around the parish calendar. How do I get there and what is nearby? The ensemble sits at roughly 47.3258 N, 8.4910 E, in Stallikon village rather than in Sellenbüren, the larger settlement in the same municipality. A walk around the old core takes a quarter of an hour or so. The municipality also contains the Uetliberg, the area's highest point and a well-known viewpoint over Zurich, with trails running along the Albis ridge. When should I visit? The exterior can be viewed year-round. Late spring to autumn is the best time to combine the stop with a walk on the Albis. Frequently asked questions Which canton is the church in? Zurich, in the municipality of Stallikon, Affoltern district. How old is the church? St. Stephen's church is first recorded in 1157. After a fire during the Old Zurich War it was reconsecrated in 1448. Is it a protected monument? Yes. The church, rectory and laundry house are listed in the KGS inventory as no. 7667, Category B. Which parish looks after it? The Reformed parish of Stallikon-Wettswil.

Judas Thaddäus Eglisau

Eglisau

St. Judas Thaddäus Catholic Church in Eglisau is a plain concrete church on the north-western edge of the town of Eglisau, in the canton of Zurich. It went up at the turn of the 1950s and is listed in the cantonal heritage inventory because it documents how a Catholic community took root in a historically Protestant corner of Switzerland. Architecture fans will enjoy it as a building caught between rural tradition and modernism. Where is the church and how do you get there? The address is Eigenackerstrasse 35, in the Eigen district. The site sits on a terrace above the Steighalde slope, with the busy Schaffhauserstrasse to the west and Eigenackerstrasse to the east, followed by a residential neighbourhood. The main entrance faces south and opens onto a small forecourt framed by a hedge and a box tree. A car park lies behind the chancel. The parish centre, built in 2007 (Salomon-Landolt-Weg 1, 3), stands next door. Why was a Catholic church built in Eglisau? Catholics began settling in the Zürcher Unterland in the second half of the 19th century, once freedom of settlement and industrialisation set in. The region's first pastoral station opened in Bülach in 1882. Building the Eglisau power plant during the First World War raised the Catholic share of the population noticeably. In 1942 the town heard its first Mass since the Reformation, and the building plot was bought the same year. After the Second World War, the thriving Stamm company drew still more Catholic workers. Construction began in 1949 and the church was blessed on 2 April 1950. Eglisau became an independent parish in December 1967. What does the exterior look like? The architects were Ferdinand Pfammatter (1916–2003) and Walter Rieger (1915–1990), a duo who strongly shaped modern church building in the canton of Zurich, including churches in Zurich-Enge and Dübendorf. Eglisau is an early work of theirs. A simple concrete body under a steep, slightly kinked gabled roof. A small roof turret with a deeply drawn-down spire. A narrower, trapezoidal chancel at the north end. A timber porch on slender posts at the south entrance. Windows with exposed concrete frames. The longitudinal nave and gabled roof are traditional and help the church blend into its village setting, while the strict functionality and concrete window frames point toward modernism. What is inside? The chancel wall is profiled, and a parabolic arch draws the eye to a chancel raised by one step. The chancel floor is stone, the nave floor clinker brick, with wood beneath the pews. The organ gallery sits above the south entrance, and a stepped timber ceiling spans the room. The inner window sashes still hold their original panes of yellow, rough-textured glass. The liturgical furnishings were designed by F. Dedelley and are modest and unified: a round altar sign with a cross on the wall, a block altar, and a font and holy-water stoup carved from the same grey stone. A statue of Mary and one of the patron saint flank the chancel arch. The chancel was remodelled in 1967 in line with the Second Vatican Council, and the interior was renovated in 1979. When should you visit? This is a working parish church, so the easiest way in is to attend a service or ask the parish about access. The exterior and setting can be seen year-round. Combine the visit with a walk through Eglisau's old town on the Rhine. Frequently asked questions When was St. Judas Thaddäus in Eglisau built? Work started in 1949, and the church was blessed on 2 April 1950. Who designed it? The architects Ferdinand Pfammatter and Walter Rieger. Is the church a protected monument? Yes. It is in the inventory of protected objects of supra-municipal importance, rated regional. Is it the same as the church in Rafz? No. The Eglisau parish also serves Rafz and nearby villages, but the Maria Magdalena church in Rafz is a separate building.

Église d'Engollon

Val-de-Ruz

The Church of Engollon (Temple d'Engollon, also known as the Church of Saint Peter) sits in the small village of Engollon, part of the Val-de-Ruz municipality in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel. It is a Reformed parish church, best known for the medieval wall paintings in its choir. The village lies on the Seyon river, in a quiet farming corner of the Val-de-Ruz valley. What is the Church of Engollon? The building is dedicated to Saint Peter. Since the Protestant Reformation it has served a Reformed congregation, which is why French sources call it a "temple" rather than an "église". It is a modest village church rather than a grand monument, and that small scale is part of its appeal. What is the history behind it? Engollon first appears in records in 1228 as "Engolun", and the same document already mentions its parish. Before that date the village was the centre of a large parish that covered what are now Valangin, Boudevilliers, Fontaines and Cernier. Administratively it belonged to the lordship, and later the mairie, of Valangin. After the Reformation, from 1558, it shared a parish with Fenin. Archaeological work has uncovered the foundations of an earlier church nearby, showing that worship on this spot goes back well before the present building. Traces of the medieval settlement of La Bonneville also survive close to the village. In 2013 the former municipality of Engollon was merged with fourteen neighbours into the new municipality of Val-de-Ruz. What can you see inside? The highlight is the set of frescoes in the choir. The oldest, on the east side, were probably painted in the second quarter of the 14th century. Those on the side walls and the vault date from the early 15th century. The Gothic scenes illustrate episodes from the life of Christ. They were rediscovered in 1924, after centuries hidden beneath plaster, as happened in several Reformed churches in the region. How should you plan a visit? Engollon is tiny, with 74 residents in 2000, so a stroll around the village takes only a short while. The church combines well with a day in Val-de-Ruz: neighbouring villages, fields and paths along the Seyon. The interior is not always open, so check opening times on the Val-de-Ruz municipal website or with the Reformed Evangelical Church of Neuchâtel (EREN) before you go. Frequently asked questions Is the Church of Engollon Catholic? No. It is a Reformed Protestant church belonging to the Neuchâtel cantonal church. How old are the frescoes? The oldest date from the second quarter of the 14th century, the rest from the early 15th century. They were discovered in 1924. Who is the church dedicated to? Saint Peter. Was Engollon ever its own municipality? Yes, until 2013. It now belongs to the municipality of Val-de-Ruz in the canton of Neuchâtel.

Reformed Town Church

Burgdorf

The Reformed Town Church (Stadtkirche) in Burgdorf is a late Gothic landmark in the canton of Bern. Its 72-metre tower rises above the whole town from the western hill and balances the castle on the opposite side of the old town. If you are exploring the Emmental region or making a day trip from Bern, it is one of the most rewarding church stops. What is the history of the Stadtkirche? A Romanesque church from around 1200 was the first building on the site. As Burgdorf grew, it became too small. In 1473 the town hired Niklaus Birenvogt, master builder of Bern Minster, to build a replacement. Work actually began in 1471, and sources give different completion dates, from 1490 to the early 16th century. The result is a three-aisled basilica with a vaulted, elongated choir, two side chapels and a tall tower at the front. In 1865 a fire destroyed the tower's spire. Rebuilding finished in 1868, although specialists criticised it. The fire also led to the neo-Gothic bells that hang in the tower today. What will you see inside and around the church? The highlight is the late Gothic rood screen (Lettner), completed around 1512 by Heinrich Kummer and considered the most valuable of its kind in Switzerland. In 1867 it was moved to the west end of the nave, turned through 180 degrees and converted into an organ gallery. Visitors now look up at it as they enter. The surroundings are worth a few minutes too. Across from the church stands the baroque rectory of 1727, a large building under a steep hipped roof. Next to it survives half of a 13th-century tower, a remnant of the town's old defences. Together they give a good impression of medieval Burgdorf. How do you get to the church? Burgdorf lies on the railway line linking Bern with Lucerne and Zurich, so the train from Bern is the easy option. The church stands on the hill in the western part of the old town. Just walk uphill towards the tower, which is visible from far away. From the station it is a stroll through the town centre. When should you visit, and how long do you need? Go during the day, when light enters through the choir windows. This is a working church of the Reformed parish, so check opening times and service dates on the parish website before you go. The exterior, the rectory and the old tower take about fifteen minutes, and with the interior roughly an hour. Combine it with a walk around the old town and a visit to the castle. Frequently asked questions Is it a Catholic church? No. It belongs to the Reformed (Protestant) parish of Burgdorf. How tall is the tower? 72 metres, one of the most recognisable features of the town skyline. What is the most valuable feature inside? The late Gothic rood screen from around 1512, which has served as the organ gallery since 1867. Who built the current church? Niklaus Birenvogt, master builder of Bern Minster, led the project, which started in 1471.

Römisch-katholische Kirche Magden

Magden

The Roman Catholic Church in Magden (the Marienkirche, parish of St. Mary) is a modernist place of worship in the village of Magden, canton Aargau, Switzerland, a short drive from Rheinfelden. It sits at Brüelstrasse 7 and counts among the region's more notable examples of postwar church architecture. Why does Magden have two churches? The old village church, dedicated to St. Martin, dates to 1620. In 1872 the local congregation joined the Christian Catholic (Old Catholic) movement, and the building passed to that community in 1906. Magden's remaining Roman Catholics travelled to neighbouring Rheinfelden for services for nearly a century. Things changed in the 1950s. A chapel association formed in 1953 and a plot was bought in 1956. A large private gift of 100,000 francs made it possible to plan a full church instead of a modest chapel. Basel architect Leo Cron won the design competition. Building began on 17 August 1967, and Bishop Anton Hänggi consecrated the church on 2 February 1969. What will you see? The church is a tent-shaped structure with a separate, free-standing bell tower. Its concrete frame survives in original condition, which is rare among Aargau churches and a key reason the building appears in the canton's heritage inventory. The interior was designed by Albert Schilling (1904–1987), a sculptor from Arlesheim, who made the altar, cross and tabernacle. An organ by the Mathis firm of Näfels was installed in 2000. How do you get there? Magden lies in the Magdenerbach valley south of the Rhine. From Rheinfelden or Basel, drive or take a regional bus to the village centre; the church stands in the built-up part of the village within a short walk of the stop. Coordinates: 47.528 N, 7.807 E. When should you visit? The exterior can be admired at any time. Interior access depends on the parish, so check current opening times before you travel. Pair the visit with the old St. Martin's church of 1620 on Kirchweg for a comparison of four centuries of church building in one village. Frequently asked questions Is this the same church as St. Martin's? No. St. Martin's (1620) belongs to the Christian Catholic congregation. The Roman Catholic Marienkirche is a separate, much newer building from 1967–1969. Who designed it? Leo Cron of Basel designed the building; Albert Schilling created the liturgical furnishings. When was it consecrated? On 2 February 1969, by Bishop Anton Hänggi. Is it worth visiting for the architecture? Yes, if you like modernist sacred buildings. The tent form, detached tower and original concrete are what earned it a place in the cantonal inventory.

Église Saint-André

Choulex

The Church of Saint Andrew (Église Saint-André) in Choulex is the parish church of a small commune on the left bank of the Rhône, in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland. It sits at 46.2281 N, 6.2265 E, in the countryside just outside the city. The present building dates from 1837–1839. What is the history of the church? Choulex has had a parish since the Middle Ages. From 1153 it was attached to the priory of Saint-Jean-hors-les-Murs. The original medieval church was replaced by the current one, built between 1837 and 1839, a couple of decades after the commune joined Geneva under the Treaty of Turin (1816). The church is dedicated to Saint Andrew. Who runs it today? GCatholic lists Église Saint-André as a Roman-rite parish church within the Diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg. What is there to see nearby? Choulex is a village with several hamlets: Cholay, Bonvard, Briffod, Chevrier, La Capite and Miolan. Farming is still active, although the commune is increasingly residential. The population grew from about 430 in 1900 to 935 in 2000. At Miolan, the Butini family held a large estate from the 15th to the 20th century. The nearby Seymaz marshes were drained only from 1919. The village also has a covered fountain from around 1820, protected since 1962. How do you get there? Choulex lies a few kilometres north-east of central Geneva. Driving or cycling is the easiest option. Leave your vehicle in the village and stroll the streets around the church. Check service times with the parish before visiting, since the interior is first of all a place of worship. When should you visit? Spring and early autumn suit walks across the surrounding fields and along the Seymaz. Visit the church outside Mass times. Frequently asked questions When was the church in Choulex built? The current Saint Andrew church went up in 1837–1839, replacing a medieval one. Which denomination does it belong to? It is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg. Is it a major tourist sight? No, it is a modest village church. It fits well into a visit to the quiet communes on Geneva's edge. How old is the parish? Historical sources record it as early as 1153, tied to the priory of Saint-Jean-hors-les-Murs.

Reformierte Kirche Buchberg-Rüdlingen

Rüdlingen

The Reformed Church of Buchberg-Rüdlingen sits in Rüdlingen in the canton of Schaffhausen, northern Switzerland, close to the Rhine. Two parishes, Buchberg and Rüdlingen, share the building, and its clock tower is a local landmark. It lies inside the Schaffhausen Regional Nature Park, among vineyards and fields. What is the history of the church? The site has medieval roots. A small church of St. Margaret was recorded in Rüdlingen as early as 1130, and it declined after the parish merged with Buchberg. A St. James church near the rectory also existed, originally part of the Lottstetten parish. When the canton of Schaffhausen turned Reformed in the early years of the Reformation, Buchberg and Rüdlingen were still a single community. St. James was repaired repeatedly in the 17th and 18th centuries but kept deteriorating. The two villages decided to demolish it and build a new church on the present site. The Historical Dictionary of Switzerland dates the work to 1848–1850. Rüdlingen split politically from Buchberg in 1839, yet the villages kept one parish and one church. In 1972 fire destroyed the church. It was rebuilt on the same spot between 1972 and 1974, so much of what you see today dates from the late 20th century. What will you see? The clock tower is the defining feature. According to local tradition, Rüdlingen residents wanted the tower on their side of the village, but the ground there could not carry its weight. The builders chose a spot from which the clock face is still readable from Rüdlingen. The nature park lists the church as a viewpoint. We do not describe the interior, because the available sources do not cover it. No opening hours are published, so contact the Buchberg municipality before visiting (tel. +41 44 867 13 11). How do you get there? Take public transport to the "Buchberg, Kirche" stop and check times in the SBB timetable. Two walking routes start and end in Buchberg: the Rhein-Reben-Route (13 km, about 3.5 hours) and the Buchberg Panorama Trail (13.9 km, about 3.6 hours). The church fits well into a walk between vineyards and the river. When should you visit? The nature park lists the site as available all season. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable for vineyard walks and give the best views. The place suits adults, families with children and groups. Frequently asked questions Who uses the church? The Reformed congregation of Buchberg-Rüdlingen. Two municipalities share one church. When was the current church built? The first replacement was finished around 1850. After the 1972 fire it was rebuilt in 1972–1974. Can you go inside? Sources give no opening hours. Ask the Buchberg municipal office before you travel. Are there hiking routes nearby? Yes. The Rhein-Reben-Route and the Buchberg Panorama Trail both start in Buchberg and run roughly 13–14 km.

Église du Saint-Rédempteur

Lausanne

Église du Saint-Rédempteur in Lausanne is an early twentieth-century Catholic church on avenue de Rumine, close to the city centre. It belongs to a period when Catholics in long-Protestant Lausanne were only just regaining places of worship of their own. What is the Église du Saint-Rédempteur? It is a parish church in the Diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg. According to the city administration, it was the third Catholic place of worship built in Lausanne since the Reformation. Notre-Dame du Valentin in the centre and the Sacré-Cœur at Ouchy, on the lakeshore, came before it. Who designed it and when was it built? The architect was Louis-Albert Brazzola. The design competition took place in 1913, and construction ran from 1915 to 1916, so the church opened while the First World War raged beyond Swiss borders. Lausanne lists the building in its architectural heritage inventory. Vaud heritage guides tie it to a return to early Christian models that shaped the city's religious architecture in the first years of the century. What will you see? The entrance is at avenue de Rumine 33 A. Outside, the compact volume reflects an era that looked to the simplicity of the first Christian centuries for inspiration. Inside you find a nave and a choir, both repainted during the refurbishment that preceded the centenary. The 2015–2016 works covered the roof, drainage, electrical systems, painting of the nave and choir, and a reworked entrance hall and narthex. The total cost was estimated at about CHF 1.6 million, with the city contributing CHF 720,000 and the parish covering the remainder. The schedule aimed to finish in time for the church's hundredth anniversary in September 2016. How to plan a visit Combine the church with a walk along avenue de Rumine, where several of the city's cultural institutions stand. The building sits at roughly 46.517 N, 6.643 E. To go inside, avoid service times and keep voices low. Current Mass times are published by the Catholic parish of Lausanne. For context, visit the other two churches in the same story, Notre-Dame du Valentin and the Sacré-Cœur at Ouchy. Together they show how Catholic life took root again in the city. Frequently asked questions When was the Église du Saint-Rédempteur built? Between 1915 and 1916, following an architectural competition in 1913. It turned one hundred in September 2016. Who was the architect? Louis-Albert Brazzola. Where is the church? On avenue de Rumine in Lausanne, with its entrance at number 33 A. Is the church still in use? Yes. It is a parish church of the Catholic community in Lausanne, within the Diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg. Check the parish for service times.

Pfarrkirche Heilig Kreuz im Dorf

Realp

The Parish Church of the Holy Cross in Realp (Pfarrkirche Heilig Kreuz) is a neo-Gothic church in the highest village of the Urseren valley, in the canton of Uri. It sits beside the road to the Furka Pass, so many travellers pass it on the way between Andermatt and the Valais. What is the history of the church? The story starts with a Holy Cross chapel first recorded in the mid-15th century; sources give either 1445 or 1448. At that time it was a branch of the Andermatt parish. A chaplaincy was endowed here in 1518, and Capuchin friars have served it since 1735. They also ran a hospice for travellers in Realp until 1876. The village only gained its own parish in 1882, when the chapel became the parish church. Who designed the present building? The church you see today dates from 1879 to 1880 and was designed by architect Josef Spalt. Donations and the labour of local people paid for it. It was solemnly consecrated on 21 August 1881. The cantonal heritage inventory classifies it as neo-Gothic. The most recent major renovation took place in 1992. What will you see? This is a modest village church rather than a grand monument, so a visit takes a quarter of an hour or so. Look at the neo-Gothic silhouette with its prominent tower and at how the building sits within the mountain scenery. The interior is often open during the day, but check opening hours with the parish or the Andermatt tourist office. How do you get to Realp? Realp lies on the road to the Furka Pass, around 46.6° N, 8.5° E, a few kilometres from Andermatt. You can come by car or by train: the village has a station on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn line, and in summer historic steam trains also run from here on the Furka line. The church is in the village centre, within walking distance of the station. When should you visit? In summer Realp is a base for outings around the Furka and Oberalp areas; in winter it belongs to the Andermatt–Sedrun ski region. The church can be visited year-round, though winter road access over the pass is restricted, and the railway serves the Urseren valley. Frequently asked questions Is the church in Realp old? The current building dates from 1879–1880, but a place of worship has stood here since the 15th century. Who was the architect? Josef Spalt. Is there an entrance fee? Entry to a parish church is normally free, but please respect the rules of a place of worship. How long does a visit take? Plan on 15 to 30 minutes, ideally combined with a stroll around the village.

Temple Saint-Luc

Lausanne

Temple Saint-Luc in Lausanne is a Protestant church completed in 1940 in the Pontaise district, west of the city centre. It is a listed example of interwar religious architecture in the canton of Vaud and a local landmark with an unusual second life as a community venue. Where is Temple Saint-Luc? The building stands at rue de la Pontaise 33, on the corner of avenue Jomini, at roughly 46.531° N, 6.629° E. Pontaise is a residential neighbourhood northwest of Lausanne's old town. It is a short public transport ride from the centre, and a sensible stop if you want to see a part of the city that most visitors skip. Who built it, and when? Construction ran from 1938 to 1940 to plans by architects Eugène Beboux and Paul Lavenex. Lavenex is known across Vaud for designing several Protestant churches and renovating nearly thirty more; Saint-Luc counts among his significant works. The plot was sold to the national church by the Eglise libre, a separate Protestant body that had previously run its own chapel on the site. What is there to see? The standout detail is the bull sculpture. In Christian tradition the bull represents the evangelist Luke, the church's namesake. It was carved under the direction of sculptor Edouard Sandoz. The interior was restored in 1965, again under Lavenex. The sober volumes of the building are typical of how Swiss Protestant congregations built in the years before the Second World War. Is it still a church? The City of Lausanne chose to convert the temple into a neighbourhood centre (maison de quartier). An architecture competition selected the proposal by Deillon Delley, a firm from Bulle, which adds an extension while preserving the temple's architectural identity. The budget was close to CHF 10 million, with keys due to be handed to residents and local associations in autumn 2013. Check the city or parish website for current events and opening times before you go. Frequently asked questions When was Temple Saint-Luc built? Between 1938 and 1940, from plans by Eugène Beboux and Paul Lavenex. What does the bull on the building mean? It symbolises Saint Luke, after whom the church is named. Edouard Sandoz directed the sculpting. Is the building protected? Yes. It is listed in the architectural heritage inventory, and the conversion project was designed to retain its character. Where exactly is it? At rue de la Pontaise 33, at the corner of avenue Jomini, in Lausanne's Pontaise district.

Reformierte Kirche Brütten

Reformierte Kirche Brütten is the Reformed parish church of Brütten, a village in the Winterthur district of the canton of Zurich, Switzerland. It stands on a plateau between Zurich and Winterthur and is the village's best-known historic landmark. What is the history of the church? A church in Brütten is first documented in 1223. Its patron saint, Gallus, suggests the parish is older still. In the Middle Ages, Einsiedeln Abbey held the right of patronage. The abbey kept it after the Reformation and gave it up only in 1834, when Zurich took it over. Until 1832, the abbot of Einsiedeln chose Brütten's Reformed pastors from a shortlist of three names put forward by the city of Zurich. Who designed the present building? The current church dates from 1907–1908 and replaced the earlier building. It was designed by the Winterthur architects Robert Rittmeyer and Walter Furrer. After 1906 their joint practice produced buildings at the transition from Art Nouveau to the Heimatstil, a regional revival style, and the Brütten church is among their listed works. The building has its own volume in the Swiss art guide series (Schweizerische Kunstführer no. 388, Bern 1986), written by Hans Martin Gubler. It is the natural starting point for details of the architecture and furnishings. What should you know about the village? Brütten sits on a plateau west of the Kempt and Töss valleys, with the main Zurich–Winterthur road passing to the south. Besides the village centre, the municipality includes the hamlets of Strubikon, Birch, Eich and Obereich. The village kept a farming character until around 1970. Housing estates of single-family homes have gone up since the 1960s, and the population has grown from under 500 in 1950 to more than 2,200 today. The church is the historic core around which this commuter village has developed. How do you get there and when should you visit? The church is in the centre of the village, at roughly 47.474 N, 8.674 E. From Zurich or Winterthur, drive along the main road between the two cities and take the short climb up to the plateau. Interior access depends on the parish's opening hours, so check with the Brütten Reformed parish before you go. The exterior can be viewed at any time of year. Frequently asked questions When was the Brütten church built? The present building dates from 1907–1908, but a church is recorded here as early as 1223. Who was the architect? Robert Rittmeyer and Walter Furrer, both of Winterthur. Is the church still in use? Yes, it serves the Reformed congregation of Brütten. Opening hours are set by the parish. Where can I read more about the building? In Hans Martin Gubler's 1986 Schweizerische Kunstführer volume and in the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland entry for Brütten.

Pirminius Pfungen

Pfungen

St. Pirminius Church (Kirche St. Pirminius) in Pfungen is the Roman Catholic parish church of Pfungen, a municipality in the canton of Zürich. It belongs to the Winterthur deanery in the Diocese of Chur. Its patron, Pirmin, was an early medieval missionary and monastery founder whom local tradition links with the village's beginnings. Why is the church named after Pirmin? The Historical Dictionary of Switzerland records a tradition that Pirmin stayed in the Töss valley and that a nobleman called Uatilo then gave land and people at Pfungen to Reichenau Abbey. The settlement first appears in records as Funginga around 993–994. A spring on the Chomberg hill also bears the saint's name, although no monastery was founded in Pfungen itself. For visitors, this explains why a saint from far-off Reichenau gives his name to a village church near Winterthur. What will you see inside? The church interior is a protected monument. In 2015 it was redesigned by the Zürich practice Fässler + Partner AG, with Frédéric Dedelley responsible for the liturgical furnishings. The new pieces are made of oak and brass, and the altar top is a slab of grey sandstone. The project followed a competition and was refined in close consultation with everyone involved, a case of modern design placed carefully inside a listed building. How do you get to Pfungen? Pfungen lies north-east of Zürich, close to Winterthur, beside the river Töss. The church stands at roughly 47.517 N, 8.642 E. Travel by train from Zürich to Winterthur and continue on regional services to Pfungen. Quiet walking paths lead through the surrounding countryside along the river. When should you visit? This is a working parish church, so plan your visit outside service times. Opening hours and Mass schedules are published by the Catholic parish of Pfungen. Daylight shows the oak, brass and stone of the new furnishings at their best. What else can you combine with the visit? The church fits well into a day trip around Winterthur: a walk along the Töss, a climb up the Chomberg to the spring of St. Pirmin, and time in Winterthur itself, one of the canton's larger cities. Frequently asked questions Which denomination does the church belong to? It is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Diocese of Chur, Winterthur deanery. Is the interior listed? Yes. The interior is protected, and the 2015 renovation respected that status. Who designed the new furnishings? Fässler + Partner AG of Zürich, working with Frédéric Dedelley. Did Pirmin found a monastery in Pfungen? No. Tradition connects him with the area and a donation to Reichenau, but no monastery was founded in Pfungen.

Kirche Auf der Egg (Zürich)

Kirche Auf der Egg in Zürich is a Reformed Protestant church in the Wollishofen district, on the southern edge of the city near Lake Zürich. It was built in 1935–1936 to a design by the architects Walter Henauer and Ernst Witschi, and stands at Auf der Egg 11. What is this church, and why that name? "Egg" refers to the rise or ridge the building occupies. Do not confuse it with Wollishofen's old church on Kilchbergstrasse, which was consecrated in 1702. Auf der Egg is the newer, twentieth-century church of the local Reformed parish, put up while the district was growing quickly. What can you see? The church is a good example of Zürich church architecture from the 1930s. A Swiss inventory of sacred buildings records a façade with a tower, an interior focused on the pulpit, and an ambulatory, along with the original plans. According to the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, the church was planned together with a large open green zone, so the surroundings belong to the design rather than being an afterthought. A walk around the building is therefore as rewarding as a look inside. For fans of interwar modern architecture, it shows how Swiss Protestant congregations approached church building in the 1930s. Construction details, furnishings and artworks are covered in the book "Reformierte Kirchen Zürich" (2006), which devotes several pages to it. How do you get there? The church is in Zürich-Wollishofen, at roughly 47.342 N, 8.532 E. The simplest approach is to enter the address Auf der Egg 11 into a map or the public transport planner. It suits a quiet excursion away from the city centre, easily combined with a stroll through the district and along the lake. When should you visit? This is a working parish church, so check opening times for the interior on the website of the Reformed parish of Zürich-Wollishofen. You can view the exterior and the green space around it in any season, ideally in daylight. Frequently asked questions Who designed Kirche Auf der Egg? Walter Henauer and Ernst Witschi. When was it built? In 1935–1936. Is it the same as the old Wollishofen church? No. The old church on Kilchbergstrasse dates from 1702, while Auf der Egg is a twentieth-century building. Which denomination is it? It is Evangelical Reformed.

Église Saint-Georges

Val Terbi

Église Saint-Georges is the parish church of Montsevelier, a village that has belonged to the municipality of Val Terbi in the Swiss canton of Jura since 2013. It stands in the Val Terbi valley, in the district of Delémont, and still serves as the village parish church. Which Saint-Georges church is this? The dedication is common, so it helps to be precise: this is the church in Montsevelier, not one of the many other churches named after Saint George in France or elsewhere in Switzerland. Montsevelier was an independent municipality for generations. In 2013 it merged with Vermes and Vicques to form Val Terbi, and Corban joined in 2018. The church is Roman Catholic and belongs to the Diocese of Basel. What does the building look like? The present church was rebuilt in 1900–1901 in an eclectic style, meaning it blends features from several earlier architectural traditions. It is therefore a turn-of-the-twentieth-century building rather than a medieval one, set within a village at the bottom of a secluded valley. What is the history of the parish? The Montsevelier parish is documented from 1321. Its status changed over the centuries: from 1874 to 1935 the village was attached to the parish of neighbouring Mervelier, and since 1935 it has had its own parish again. The village itself first appears in records in 1136 as Muzivilir; its old German name was Mutzwil. At a spot called La Chèvre, archaeologists found the remains of a Burgundian pottery workshop from the 7th century. Montsevelier was part of the old lordship of Delémont. As an enclave within neutral Swiss territory, it escaped French occupation between 1792 and 1797. It became a mixed municipality in 1853. The village was traditionally agricultural, and from the 1960s industry grew here: machine tools, polishing, finishing and precision cutting. By 2000 the secondary sector provided almost half of local jobs, and the population was around 500. When and why should you visit? The church suits visitors exploring the Jura who care about sacred architecture and the local history of small valley villages. It is best seen as part of a walk through Montsevelier or a wider trip around Val Terbi, which also includes Corban, whose entire village is listed in the Swiss Inventory of Heritage Sites. Check opening hours with the parish before you go. Frequently asked questions Where is Église Saint-Georges? In Montsevelier, part of the municipality of Val Terbi, canton of Jura. When was the current building constructed? It was rebuilt in 1900–1901 in an eclectic style. How old is the parish? Sources record it from 1321. It has been independent again since 1935, after being united with Mervelier from 1874 to 1935. Is Montsevelier a separate municipality? No. Since 1 January 2013 it has been part of Val Terbi, together with Vermes and Vicques; Corban joined in 2018.

Reformierte Kirche Felsberg GR

Felsberg

Reformierte Kirche Felsberg is the Protestant parish church of Felsberg, a village in the Swiss canton of Graubünden, on the Rhine valley floor between Chur and Domat/Ems. It is a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in late Gothic church architecture in the Alpine region. What is the church's history? The church is first mentioned in 1305, and its dedication to Saint Thomas is recorded from 1481. Until 1526 its parish also covered neighbouring Says. Felsberg turned to the Reformation around 1535, and the building has served a Reformed congregation ever since. The present church is a late Gothic building from the early 16th century. The Swiss inventory of cultural property (KGS) records a longer nave and a new choir in 1504, followed by a westward extension and new windows in 1733. Restorations took place in 1957, in 1980–81 and in 2000–01. What can you see? The layout is typical of Graubünden: a very long, low nave, a tall polygonal choir and a tower on the south side. The KGS inventory also highlights a cycle of painted images from around 1408, which it describes as unique in the canton. Opening hours for the interior are limited, so ask the parish before you go. Why is the village itself interesting? Felsberg sits below the Calanda massif. Repeated rockfalls between 1832 and 1850 forced residents to move much of the village east, into the area now called Neu-Felsberg. The old church remains in the original settlement. The Theus foundry cast more than 220 bells here between 1817 and 1910, and an organ-building firm has worked in the village since 1898. How do you get there? Felsberg lies roughly 7 km west of central Chur. You can reach it by car or regional public transport from Chur. It combines easily with a visit to Chur's old town and a walk along the Rhine. Frequently asked questions Is this the same Felsberg as the one in Hesse, Germany? No. This church is in Switzerland, in the canton of Graubünden, in the Imboden region. When was the church built? The current building dates from the early 16th century (late Gothic). The earliest written record of the church is from 1305. What is the most valuable feature inside? The KGS inventory singles out a painted cycle from about 1408, regarded as unique in Graubünden. Is it still in use? Yes, it has served the Reformed congregation since the Reformation in the 16th century.

St. John's Church

Bassersdorf

St. John's Church (Reformierte Kirche St. Johann) in Bassersdorf is the Reformed parish church in the middle of this Zurich-canton village, a short distance from Zurich Airport. It belongs to the Reformed parish of Breite, which unites Bassersdorf, Nürensdorf, Brütten and Lindau. Archaeologists found a Roman villa beneath the building, so the spot has been in use for nearly two thousand years. What is the history of the church? Excavations revealed a Romanesque church as the oldest religious building on the site. Written records first mention it in 1370 as a branch chapel of Kloten, dedicated to St. John. Bassersdorf gained baptismal rights in 1509, a benefice was endowed in 1518, and the first resident pastor took office in 1520, shortly before the Reformation. When the Reformation arrived, Bassersdorf and Nürensdorf became one independent parish within the Regensberg chapter, with the Zurich city council holding the patronage. That is why the church is Protestant today. Is there a Roman connection? Yes. Renovation work in 1963 uncovered the walls of a Roman villa rustica under the church. Pottery fragments place it in the 1st century AD. The village sat on a Roman and medieval road between Zurich and Winterthur. The settlement itself appears in records around 1010 (as Basselstorff) and in 1155 (as Bazzelstorf). How do you get there? Bassersdorf lies on the edge of the middle Glatt valley in the Bülach district. The railway arrived in 1877 on the Winterthur–Baden line. After the airport line opened in 1977 the station moved to the edge of the village, so the church is a short walk from the platform. Coordinates are 47.4444 N, 8.6278 E, and Zurich is under half an hour away by train or car. What else is worth knowing about Bassersdorf? The village grew fast: about 310 people in 1634, 1,092 in 1900 and 7,515 in 2000. Baltenswil joined in 1931. A Catholic church, St. Franziskus, has stood here since 1973 and serves a parish that also covers Kloten and Nürensdorf. Do not confuse it with St. John's, which is the Reformed church. Frequently asked questions Is St. John's Church in Bassersdorf Catholic? No, it is Reformed. The village's Catholic church is St. Franziskus, open since 1973. How old is the oldest part of the church? The oldest structure found is Romanesque. Records confirm it in 1370 as a branch chapel dedicated to St. John. Are there really Roman remains underneath? Yes. Work in 1963 exposed the walls of a 1st-century Roman villa. Can I visit without a car? Yes. Bassersdorf has a station on the Winterthur–Baden line, and the church is in the village centre.