Struggling to find a church that felt like home? Perhaps the story of Kirche Maria-Hilf in Zurich will resonate. It’s more than just a building. It is a place of reflection and community in Leimbach.
Kirche Maria-Hilf offers solace and connection. Here, locals deepen their faith. They also support each other. The church extends a warm invitation. People are welcome to contemplate in tranquility or actively participate within the community.
Back in 948, a chapel dedicated to St. Gilg existed in Leimbach. Around 1400, the Cistercian Selnau Monastery owned it. During the Reformation in 1524, it became private property and was eventually torn down.
The present-day parish of Maria-Hilf was initially part of St. Franziskus Wollishofen. By 1901, a temporary church was rented. This served the faithful of Wollishofen and Leimbach. Following the construction of St. Franziskus Wollishofen between 1927 and 1928, land was purchased in 1932. The aim was to build a church in Leimbach. A small church was erected in 1950. Christian Caminada, Bishop of Chur, designated Leimbach as a parish vicariate.
In 1966, discussions began for a new church building. The location of the old church was limited. It was also near Leimbach train station. There were considerations to build the new church in the heart of the Mittel-Leimbach residential area. This idea was abandoned. The church would have been too far from the original village center.
Representatives from both the Catholic and Reformed churches sought a shared building site. This was to symbolize ecumenical cooperation. They could not find suitable land. The Reformed church’s construction plans were more advanced. So the two churches stand slightly apart today.
The current church complex was constructed between 1972 and 1974. Walter Moser was the architect. The original church was demolished. The foundation stone was laid on August 26, 1973. Bishop Johannes Vonderach officially established Leimbach as a parish on December 1, 1974. He consecrated Kirche Maria-Hilf on December 8, 1974.
The city of Zurich recognized Kirche Maria-Hilf with an award for good architecture on December 3, 1976. Today, Maria-Hilf has 1,738 members as of 2021. It is the second-smallest Roman Catholic parish in Zurich.
The church tower has four bronze bells. They were cast in Aarau on October 19, 1973. The bells were consecrated on August 25 and raised into the tower on August 26.
Nestled among residential buildings near Leimbach station. Kirche Maria-Hilf stands on a small plot. A public footpath with steps and ramps cuts through the parish center. It leads to the higher parts of Leimbach.
The church can accommodate 350 worshipers. The almost windowless walls shield the space from street noise. Light streams in from above. This makes the wooden ceiling appear to float.
Peter Travaglini designed the altar area. Max Hellstern created the sole stained-glass window. Johann Jakob Zemp created the Stations of the Cross mosaic between 1982 and 1986.
The chapel is used for weekday and group services. The altar, tabernacle, benches, stained glass and cross come from the previous church.
The organ was built by Th. Kuhn in 1975.
Saskia Roth praises Kirche Maria-Hilf for its clever use of space on a steep slope and its protection from the noise.