Saint-Vincent, Montreux, Reformed church and former ossuary in Montreux, canton of Vaud, Switzerland
The église réformée Saint-Vincent et ancien ossuaire stands on Rue du Temple in Montreux, canton of Vaud. The church has a modest steeple, high vaulted ceilings and walls of local stone; the small ossuary building stands on the same grounds. The ensemble is listed as a class B Swiss cultural property of regional significance.
The church's foundations date to around the 8th or 9th century, making it one of the oldest surviving structures in Montreux. In 1536, when the Bernese introduced the Reformation to the region, the building was converted from a Catholic church into a Reformed temple.
The church is named after Saint Vincent, the patron saint of winemakers, which reflects the long tradition of viticulture in the hills around Lake Geneva. Inside, modern stained glass windows by local artist Jean Prahin bring color to the otherwise plain interior.
The church sits in central Montreux and is easy to reach on foot from the lakefront. It is worth checking in advance whether the building is open, as access depends on scheduled services or events.
A bell above the church entrance bears the date 1473 and still rings during ceremonies today. It is one of the oldest functioning bells still in use in the region.
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