Nestled in the heart of Dübendorf, Switzerland, the Katholische Kirche Dübendorf, also known locally as Maria Frieden, stands as a beacon of faith, history, and architectural splendor. This Roman Catholic church, with its striking modernist design, offers visitors a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, inviting them to explore its rich history and stunning artistic elements.
The story of the Katholische Kirche Dübendorf is one of resilience and growth. Following the Reformation, Catholic services ceased in Dübendorf for several centuries. It wasn't until 1897 that Catholic worship resumed, initially in the dance hall of the Restaurant Kreuz. By 1902, the Catholic parish acquired a former dairy hut on Wilstrasse, which served as a makeshift chapel and rectory for fifty years. This humble chapel was consecrated on December 21, 1902.
As Dübendorf's population grew, so did the need for a larger church. The foundation stone for the new church was laid on August 27, 1950. The parish of Maria Frieden, a daughter parish of Herz Jesu in Zurich-Oerlikon, was formally established on December 7, 1926. Over the years, Maria Frieden became the mother parish to neighboring parishes, including St. Anthony of Padua in Wallisellen.
The current church building, designed by architects Ferdinand Pfammatter and Walter Rieger, was constructed between 1950 and 1952. It was consecrated on April 27, 1952, by the Bishop of Chur, Christian Caminada, in honor of Mary, Queen of Peace. The parish house followed in 1957, and the church tower was completed in 1963, with its bells ringing for the first time on Easter night of that year.
In 1992, the newly built parish center Leepünt was inaugurated, and in 2003, the church underwent a comprehensive renovation by architect Walter Moser. The former parish hall beneath the church was transformed into a crypt in 2007. Today, the Katholische Kirche Dübendorf serves a vibrant community of over 7,800 members, making it the third-largest Catholic parish in the Canton of Zurich.
The church tower of Katholische Kirche Dübendorf, completed in 1963, is a prominent landmark in the city center. Standing 45 meters tall, the tower is as high as the church is long, with a 4.2-meter-tall cross crowning its peak. The bronze bells, cast by the H. Rüetschi company in Aarau, were consecrated and installed in 1963. Weighing a total of 14,820 kilograms, the bells produce a harmonious sequence of notes: g°, b°, c', es', f', and g'.
Interestingly, the fourth and fifth bells are dedicated to the Prophet Elijah, the patron saint of aviators, and St. Barbara, the patron saint of the military, artillery, and towers. This dedication reflects Dübendorf's historical significance as the birthplace of Swiss civil and military aviation, with the first Swiss airfield established here in 1910.
The Katholische Kirche Dübendorf is a 45-meter-long structure with a basilica-style layout. Its three-quarter barrel vault, supported by rhythmically arranged concrete pillars and girders, creates a striking visual effect. The polygonal apse mirrors the similarly designed entrance front, where the organ loft is located. The removal of the rear pews under the loft has increased the church's seating capacity to 400.
The vault, rising to a height of 18 meters with a cornice height of 15 meters, is accentuated by the low side aisles. The church's architectural style, characterized by large windows and decorative concrete latticework, is often referred to as concrete Gothic. This style is evident in other churches designed by Ferdinand Pfammatter in the Zurich area, including Dreikönigen, St. Konrad, and St. Gallus. The church's dimensions and the monumental rose window above the organ loft evoke the grandeur of a Gothic cathedral. Adjacent to the entrance front is the Marian Chapel.
One of the most captivating features of the Katholische Kirche Dübendorf is its stained glass windows, designed by Paul Monnier (1907–1982). The triptych in the choir, rendered in shades of blue, reflects the church's dedication to the Virgin Mary. The central window symbolizes the path to eternal life, the right window represents the grace of God, and the left window is dedicated to creation. Additional windows in the choir depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
The rose window above the organ loft, inspired by the tympanum of Gothic cathedrals, illustrates the Last Judgment from the Book of Revelation. Two smaller windows in the nave, also by Monnier, depict the pilgrimage site of Flüeli-Ranft and the monastery of Einsiedeln with the Black Madonna. The large windows in the nave, created by Innsbruck artist Max Spielmann, feature the Twelve Apostles and were consecrated in 1969.
Max Spielmann also designed the church's main bronze portal, which depicts the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan on the right door and the four Evangelists and twelve Apostles' crosses on the left door. Spielmann's work includes the crucifix in the choir and the Stations of the Cross, installed in the nave's side aisles in 1977.
Willy Buck of Wil SG crafted the tabernacle in 1969, followed by the baptismal font and ambo in 1976. Buck also created the statue of St. Joseph near the baptismal font. During the 2003 renovation, the large stone altar was returned to its original position against the choir wall, and a lighter, more modern altar designed by Werner Gugolz of Küsnacht ZH was installed.
The church's first organ, built in 1969 by the Späth company of Rapperswil, featured 41 registers with 3,025 pipes. This organ was dismantled in 2012. In its place, a historic organ built by Slovenian organ builder Franc Goršič in 1886 was temporarily installed in the choir. This organ, originally created for a chapel near Ljubljana, was restored by organ builder Bernhardt Edskes and remains a unique testament to the organ culture of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
On April 6, 2014, a new main organ was inaugurated on the organ loft by General Vicar Josef Annen. Built by Bernhardt Edskes, this organ is inspired by the tradition of Arp Schnitger and his students, with a particular focus on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries.
The Katholische Kirche Dübendorf is not just a place of worship; it is a testament to the enduring spirit and rich cultural heritage of the community it serves. With its stunning architecture, beautiful stained glass windows, and impressive organs, it offers visitors a serene and inspiring experience. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or simply seeking a moment of peace, the Katholische Kirche Dübendorf is a must-visit destination in the heart of Dübendorf.
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