St. Josef

St. Josef Church in Köniz, Switzerland, is a modern architectural marvel nestled in the serene landscape of the Köniztal valley. This Roman Catholic parish church, built between 1990 and 1991, stands as a testament to contemporary design and community spirit. It replaced the original church at Feldeggweg, which had become too small for the growing congregation.

The History of St. Josef Church

The journey of St. Josef Church began with the parishioners' desire for a local place of worship. Köniz and the surrounding Schwarzenburgerland were initially part of the St. Antonius parish in Bümpliz since 1936. The arduous journey to Bümpliz led the faithful to request local services. Their prayers were answered on March 5, 1939, when the Evangelical Church allowed them to use a facility at Dianaweg. However, as the congregation grew, this space became inadequate, prompting the construction of the first St. Josef Church on Feldeggstrasse, inaugurated on April 30, 1950, by Bishop Franziskus von Streng. The official establishment of the parish followed in 1955, with Johann Hänggi as its first pastor.

Over the years, the parish continued to evolve. In 1966, the Roman Catholic parish of St. Josef Köniz – St. Michael Wabern was created. By July 1, 1976, St. Michael and St. Josef became separate parishes. The geographic boundaries were redefined in 2012, with the parish now comprising parts of Köniz, Guggisberg, Oberbalm, Rüschegg, and Schwarzenburg. The neighboring areas were assigned to adjacent parishes.

The First Church

The original St. Josef Church was built on a 2,000 m² plot at the corner of Feldeggstrasse and Schlossstrasse, purchased in 1946 for 50,000 Swiss Francs. Despite initial concerns about its size, the church was completed and dedicated in 1950. The simple structure featured a hall with a rectangular choir and an attached sacristy. The interior included a confessional and a baptismal chapel under the gallery, with wooden floors and pews lining the central aisle. A statue of the Virgin Mary by Hans von Matt was among the notable artworks. This church served the community until March 3, 1991, when it was sold and demolished to make way for residential buildings.

The New Church

By 1965, plans for a new church were already in motion. After extensive deliberation, the parish purchased a plot on Stapfenstrasse for 1,190,000 Swiss Francs in 1981. The design by architects Hansueli Jörg and Hans Martin Sturm was selected from eight proposals. Despite some opposition, the construction budget of 7.9 million Swiss Francs was approved in 1987. The building permit was granted in late 1988, initially without a tower, which was later approved in a reduced form along with three bells.

Construction began on February 5, 1989, with the foundation stone laid on September 2, 1989. The bells were installed on March 3, 1991, and the church was consecrated on March 10, 1991.

Architectural Description

The St. Josef Church complex is a striking example of modern architecture, built as an L-shaped structure at the foot of the Gurten hills. The church faces east, following traditional orientation. The community hall is directly connected to the church, with the baptismal chapel forming a standalone round building in the triangular space between them. The ensemble includes a rectory, classrooms, and parish offices, with the sacristan's apartment forming the northwest corner.

The architects embraced the monastic theme of intra murum (within the walls). Visitors enter the church courtyard under a flat roof supported by concrete beams. The buildings feature exposed masonry with concrete blocks, and wide segmental arches are a prominent design element, inspired by the work of American architect Louis I. Kahn.

Interior and Artistic Features

The church's interior is bathed in natural light, with narrow side aisles illuminated from above and behind. The slightly elevated altar area is lit indirectly from above, and its concave rear wall resembles a dam against the rising hill. The right side aisle houses the Marian or Birth Chapel with a gilded Madonna by Hans von Matt, while the left aisle features a memorial for the deceased, symbolized by a broken slab.

The church's flexible design allows the adjacent community hall to be opened into the church, expanding the worship space. The blue baptismal chapel is also accessible from this area. The pews are arranged in a semicircle around the central aisle, with a yellow stripe on the altar's back wall symbolizing the connection between birth, baptism, life, and death. The altar, lectern, and candle stand are set on cubic stone bases with lighter inserts, and a white stripe runs from the altar to the entrance, symbolizing the journey of faith.

The Bells

The three bells, harmonized with the nearby Reformed Church, were donated by parishioners and the local community. They bear contemporary names and inscriptions: the Justice Bell (b'), the Peace Bell (as'), and the Creation Bell (f').

The Organ

The new organ, inaugurated on October 22, 1992, adds to the church's rich musical tradition.

Environmental Initiatives

From the outset, the church incorporated environmentally friendly features, such as double-walled masonry, non-toxic materials, a green roof, and a connection to the district heating system. An environmental working group was established to achieve a 10% energy reduction, and solar panels were installed on the sacristan's apartment. The parish received the Green Rooster certification on May 1, 2016, comparable to ISO 14000.

St. Josef Church is not just a place of worship but a symbol of community, sustainability, and modern design, making it a must-visit landmark in Köniz.