St. Theresia

Gazing up at St. Theresia, one might wonder about the heart of this tranquil sanctuary. St. Theresia Church graces the Friesenberg district of Zurich. It stands as a testament to modern Swiss church architecture. The story of St. Theresia begins in the 1920s. Friesenberg, a burgeoning neighborhood at the foot of Uetliberg, saw a surge in young families. In 1926, the first Catholic religious instruction took place in Friesenberg, led by Father Christian Herrmann of Herz-Jesu Church in Wiedikon. Inspired by this first lesson, Father Herrmann dedicated the future parish to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the patron saint of children. Land for St. Theresia was acquired in stages between 1928 and 1931. Architect Fritz Metzger, known for his work on Maria Lourdes Church in Seebach and St. Felix and Regula in Hard, won the design commission in 1932. The church was consecrated on December 10, 1933. St. Theresia became an independent parish, separated from Herz-Jesu Wiedikon. The church underwent renovations in 1978-1979, led by architect Walter Moser. Artist Max Rüedi redesigned the weekday chapel during this period. Further renovations occurred in 2001-2002, restoring many original features. St. Theresia features a low, wide tower with visible bells, signifying its purpose. The tower houses three bells cast in 1933. Above the main entrance, a statue of “Christ as a Friend of Children” welcomes visitors. Inside, the Theresienkapelle (a smaller chapel) leads to the main church. Richard Seewald’s frescoes, painted in 1946, adorn the walls, depicting scenes from Jesus’s childhood and honoring St. Thérèse’s connection to children. The weekday chapel, initially a simple space, was transformed by Max Rüedi in the late 1970s with colorful glass windows. It was later redesigned in the early 2000s to reflect its original 1933 design. St. Theresia stands as a unique example of Bauhaus-style church architecture in Switzerland. It embodies simplicity and humility in its design.