Reformed church, church building in Herisau in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Switzerland
The Reformed Church is a place of worship in Herisau, Switzerland, with origins reaching back to medieval times. The structure combines late Gothic elements from the 1500s, an octagonal tower from the 1700s, Rococo decorations, Neo-Gothic updates from the early 1900s, wooden galleries, and a pipe organ installed in 1961 that remains in regular use.
A church on this site was first recorded in 907 and dedicated to the Holy Savior. Herisau was the last parish in the region to adopt the Protestant faith in 1529, and after a fire damaged the building in 1559, it was rebuilt in 1606.
The church is called the Reformed Church and reflects the community's Protestant identity since 1529. Today it serves as a gathering place for worship, concerts, and community events where visitors experience both spiritual practice and the town's shared history.
The church is located in the center of Herisau and is accessible on foot from the main town area. Visitors can explore the interior to view the architectural details, the organ, and the small St. Anna chapel with its stained glass windows showing the baptism of Jesus.
The most famous bell, called the Herrgottsglocke, was cast in 1756 and weighs more than two tons with ornate decorations. Surprisingly, it originally belonged to Salem Monastery before being relocated to this church, giving it an unexpected connection to another religious community.
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