Reformed church with rectory, Protestant architectural ensemble in Elgg, Switzerland.
The Reformed church with rectory stands at Lindenplatz 1a in Elgg, combining religious and residential structures within a cohesive architectural composition. The ensemble displays late Gothic features and includes both the church building and the adjoining rector's residence as an integrated unit.
A church dedicated to St. George probably stood here since the 8th century; a Merovingian hall church was extended in the 9th century and replaced around 1000 by a Romanesque building with an apse. The cornerstone of the present late Gothic church was laid on 5 June 1508, and the building was consecrated on 2 February 1516. Two priests loyal to Zwingli arrived in 1522 and introduced the Reformation in Elgg by 1524, after which altars, relics and statues were removed.
The parish belonged to the monastery of St. Gallen from its beginnings until Rapperswil bought the collation rights in 1409; Zurich acquired the church benefice in 1537. Since then Elgg has formed a church community with Elsau, Schlatt ZH and about 30 hamlets, today called Kirchgemeinde Eulachtal. The carved baroque pulpit of 1849 by Conrad Mötteli von Waltenstein stands at the chancel arch so it can be seen from every seat.
The church stands in the old town centre, ringed by a green belt; the rectory adjoins the nave on the west side, so entry is through the side portals rather than a main west door. A sundial is painted on the south facade, and the tower clock faces of 1903 are by the Mäder firm of Andelfingen. The interior seats about 450 people today.
The pulpit carved in 1849 by Conrad Mötteli von Waltenstein was placed on the choir arch so that a Reformed preacher could be seen from every seat, a position already customary in the Middle Ages. The Baroque pews with box seats for wealthy families along the walls date from around 1649; the remaining benches, gallery and communion table were made in the 1965 renovation.
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