Staring at the Augustinerkirche, one might not guess its rather unusual history. This church has served many purposes. The Augustinerkirche stands as one of Zurich’s important medieval churches.
Let’s step back in time. Around 1270, Augustinian monks settled here. They built a Romanesque church. This marked the beginning of the Augustinerkirche. The monastery became part of Zurich’s fortifications. It sat on the lower slope of Lindenhof hill.
During the Reformation, everything changed for the Augustinerkirche. Worship was discontinued. The church transformed into something unexpected. It became a coin workshop. For 300 years, coins were made here. The Müzplatz square reminds us of this time. The nave served as a wine press. Later, floors were added for wood and fruit storage. Part of the church even housed the mint master. The Müzplatz got its name from the mint in the choir.
In 1841, the Catholic community planned to rebuild the Augustinerkirche. They wanted to honor its past. However, most Catholics rejected the First Vatican Council’s decisions in 1870. This led to their excommunication. They became the Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland. For this reason, Augustinerkirche is still their parish church today.
Ferdinand Stadler rebuilt the nave in 1843/44. He used the Gothic Revival style. This gave the Augustinerkirche a new look. In 1900, five bells were installed in the bell tower.
The Augustinerkirche was renovated in 1958/59. Max Kopp restored its medieval state. Gothic Revival elements were removed. The crucifix, altar, and baptismal font were designed by Franz Fischer. August Wanner created the stained-glass windows in 1965.
Inside the Augustinerkirche, you can find treasures. A fresco of Christopherus is one of them. You can also see fragments of mural paintings. The pipe organ was installed in 1959. It was built by Orgelbau Th. Kuhn AG.
Today, the Augustinerkirche is a Class B object. It is listed in the Swiss inventory of cultural property. This means it has regional significance. The Augustinerkirche stands as a testament to Zurich’s history. It has transformed from a house of God to a coin workshop and back again. Its story is etched in its walls. It is a reminder of Zurich’s ever-changing past.