Thomaskirche Hard, Reformed church building in Wiedikon, Zürich, Switzerland
The Thomaskirche im Gut is a Reformed church in Zurich's Wiedikon district, at Burstwiesenstrasse 44, built 1959–1961 to plans by Hans Hofmann. Its red-brick facades carry a monumental cross formed of protruding bricks, and a steep pyramidal bell tower on four concrete pillars stands before the entrance. Inside, the room takes the form of a tent, with semicircular benches set in a round floor recess.
In the mid-19th century Wiedikon grew from a small village into a populous district of Zurich. To serve the new family-rich settlements around Birmensdorferstrasse, the Reformed parish of Wiedikon held an architectural competition in 1953, won by Hans Hofmann. The church was built from 1959 to 1961 under his plans, with Oskar Bitterli and Ernst Rohrer as executing architects. Since 1 January 2019 it has belonged to Church District Three of the Reformed Church of Zurich.
The church is in the Im Gut quarter of Wiedikon, not Kreis 4, at Burstwiesenstrasse 44. Its name recalls the apostle Thomas; the tent-shaped interior, with semicircular benches around the communion table, expresses a congregation understood as a people on the move with God. Since 1 January 2019 it has belonged to Kirchenkreis Drei of the Reformed parish of Zurich.
The building is located in western Zurich and is easily accessible by public transportation. There is parking nearby and the church opens its doors to visitors during services and special events.
The brick construction was uncommon for religious buildings in Switzerland at that time and signaled a departure from heavier materials. Visitors often notice this crafted quality of the facade, which gives the building a warm and approachable character.
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