Baar Reformed Church

Nestled in the picturesque town of Baar in the canton of Zug, Switzerland, the Baar Reformed Church (known locally as Reformierte Kirche Baar) stands as a testament to the rich history and cultural evolution of the region. This architectural gem, inaugurated in 1867, is the oldest church building of the Evangelical Reformed Church community in the canton of Zug, and the second oldest Protestant church in Central Switzerland, following the Matthäus Church in Lucerne, which dates back to 1861.

The Historical Context

The history of the Baar Reformed Church is deeply intertwined with the socio-political changes of the 19th century. The Swiss Federal Constitution of 1848 granted freedom of settlement to all Swiss citizens regardless of their religious affiliation. This significant change allowed Protestants to move into the predominantly Catholic Inner Switzerland, leading to a demographic shift in towns like Baar. The establishment of the spinning mill on the Lorze River in 1855 transformed Baar into an industrial village, attracting a growing population, including many Protestants from the nearby canton of Zurich. By 1860, the Protestant population in Baar had surged to 209, prompting the need for a dedicated place of worship.

The Birth of the Church Community

In November 1862, Johann Werder, the director of the spinning mill, proposed using a factory hall for Protestant services and religious education. The Zug government approved this initiative on January 5, 1863, allowing services to be held either in Baar or Zug. The first Protestant service with Holy Communion took place on Easter Monday, April 6, 1863, in the packing hall of the spinning mill. This event marked the foundation of the church community, which held its first congregational meeting on September 27, 1863, and elected a church board.

The Construction of the Church

The spinning mill generously provided the church community with a plot of land known as the Andermatt property for 15,000 francs. Donations poured in from both local and international sources, including a love tax approved by the Zurich government, amounting to 11,326 francs. The total construction cost was 79,800 francs. The church was designed by Zurich architect Ferdinand Stadler, who opted for a Neo-Gothic style with a touch of classicism due to its compact structure and low roof pitch. Construction began on Easter 1866, and the church was inaugurated with a festive service on Reformation Sunday in 1867. An adjacent late Biedermeier house, built in 1838, was converted into a parsonage.

Architectural Features

The Baar Reformed Church is characterized by its sturdy rectangular layout, with the main entrance integrated into a slightly protruding tower on the east side. The bell tower features tall, tracery-adorned sound windows, topped with a copper-covered octagonal spire. The church's corners are accentuated by corner pylons, and the side walls are divided into six sections, with the outermost sections windowless, contrasting with the four-windowed inner sections.

Inside, the visible wooden roof structure reflects the influence of English church architecture. Originally, a small chancel with a flat ceiling, resembling a niche, housed the baptismal font. The high chancel window, adorned with tracery and a stained glass painting, stands out, while the other windows are decorated with simple colored borders. The stained glass painting, created by glass artist Johann Jakob Röttinger and gifted by architect Stadler, depicts Christ teaching the disciples and blessing a child. The octagonal baptismal font has since been replaced by the communion table in the church's central axis.

Renovations and Additions

In 1933, a classroom was added to the church, followed by a comprehensive renovation in 1934 by Dagobert Keiser and Richard Bracher. Another renovation took place in 1967/1968 under Hans Büchler, which included the addition of a sgraffito on the interior front wall. This artwork by Max Kämpf depicts the five loaves and two fishes from the biblical story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand on the left side of the chancel, and the Christogram with the text from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John on the right: I am the bread of life that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. The bread that I will give is my life, which I give for the salvation of the world.

Modern Enhancements

The church also features a Neo-Gothic gallery above the main entrance, added in 1920, and an organ installed in 1974 by Eberhard Friedrich Walcker of Ludwigsburg, replacing an earlier organ from 1917 by Orgelbau Kuhn of Männedorf. The white-gray paint and the sgraffito on the front wall dominate the spatial impression of the church.

Today, the Baar Reformed Church stands as a symbol of the town's rich religious and cultural heritage, offering a glimpse into the historical evolution of the Protestant community in this part of Switzerland. Its architectural elegance and historical significance make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the charming town of Baar.