Pray tell. Have you ever heard of saints carrying their own heads? It sounds like something out of a movie. Yet it is the legendary story of St. Felix and Regula. This is the tale behind the Katholische Kirche St. Felix und Regula.
The Katholische Kirche St. Felix und Regula is dedicated to Zurich’s patron saints. They were members of the Theban Legion. This legion refused to sacrifice to the emperor. Felix and Regula fled. They reached Zurich and were then caught and beheaded in 286. Legend says they picked up their heads after the beheading. They walked forty paces uphill. Then they prayed and lay down to die.
Now look around at this unique church. It stands in Zurich’s Hard neighborhood. This area was traditionally a working-class district. After the Seebahn was deepened in 1927 the area was redeveloped. Many workers moved here because of nearby industries.
The Herz Jesu Wiedikon parish responded to the growing population. On April 1 1927 land was purchased to build today’s Katholische Kirche St. Felix und Regula. An old barn on the site was converted into a makeshift church. The first service was held there on July 7 1936.
In 1944 a competition was held to design a new church. The city of Zurich offered subsidies. The condition was that the architectural competition had to be open to all faiths. Many architects submitted designs. Roland Rohn won first prize. However, Hermann Baur suggested Fritz Metzger’s design be used.
The Katholische Kirche St. Felix und Regula was built between 1949 and 1950. Fritz Metzger designed it. He also designed the Maria Lourdes and St. Theresia churches. The groundbreaking was on May 21 1949. The church was consecrated on December 10 1950. Bishop Christian Caminada of Chur performed the ceremony.
In 1951 Felix and Regula became a parish. It was separated from the Herz Jesu Wiedikon parish. The parish center was inaugurated on March 3 1968. The redesigned forecourt of the church was opened on September 11 2011. The church was renovated between 2012 and 2013. It was restored to its 1960s state.
Pfarrer Christian Herrmann wanted to dedicate the new parish. He chose St. Felix and Regula. He believed the Hard neighborhood needed strong role models. Felix and Regula were witnesses to faith and blood.
Fritz Metzger studied with Karl Moser. He was familiar with modern church architecture. Metzger created two pioneering churches after World War II. These were St. Franziskus in Riehen and St. Felix und Regula. They moved away from traditional designs.
Metzger based his design on the Book of Revelation. It describes the new Jerusalem as God’s tent among men. The round building of Felix and Regula is meant to evoke this tent. The legend of St. Felix and Regula also influenced the design. They were traveling in tents with the Theban Legion. The visible building blocks symbolize Felix and Regula. They were the living building blocks of Zurich’s Christian community.
The Katholische Kirche St. Felix und Regula stands at the intersection of Hirzelstrasse and Hardstrasse. The tower is set back. The church has a broadly rounded facade. The parish center built in 1968 is behind it.
The bells were cast in 1953. Bishop Christian Caminada consecrated them that November. The tower clock was installed in 1957. The church’s largest glass artwork was created by Ferdinand Gehr in 1954. It features 178 windows. The windows depict the Beatitudes. Each Beatitude is associated with a saint.
The organ was built in 1964 and 1965. It has three manuals and a pedal. It also has 32 registers.
The Katholische Kirche St. Felix und Regula is a testament to faith. It is a unique architectural achievement. Its design and artwork tell stories of sacrifice. They also tell stories of community. Take a moment to reflect on the stories and artistry.