Kirchgemeinde Grafenried-Limpach

The parish of Grafenried-Limpach covers six villages: Büren zum Hof, Fraubrunnen, Grafenried, Limpach, Schalunen, and Zauggenried, and has two churches (Limpach Church and Grafenried Church).

History

Grafenried Church

The Protestant Reformed Church in Grafenried has a long history.

Around 700 AD, the Alemanni built the first church "ufem Chilehoger."

The oldest family graves with grave goods indicate this.

By 1500 AD, five more church buildings had been added, each slightly larger than the last. This was also when the first church tower was built.

The current elegant church dates back to 1747. Simplicity prevails both inside and out, which is what characterizes this bright and friendly house of worship.

The first organ was inaugurated in 1886 and last revised in 2004.

The church tower was rebuilt in 1953 and new bells were installed to mark the occasion: F bell 1010 kg, A flat bell 610 kg, B flat bell 443 kg, C bell 307 kg.

The three modern choir windows with biblical motifs (Old Testament on the left: God gives the Israelites manna and quails / center: Last Supper with bread, chalice, and crown of thorns / New Testament on the right: Feeding of the 5,000 with bread and fish) were designed by Max Brunner and installed in 1963.

At the front is the choir stall, on the left with a special compartment for the "Bernese gentlemen of yesteryear," in the middle the baptismal font, and on the right against the wall the pulpit. The church was last renovated in 1988.

The entire complex, comprising the church, parish hall (Pfrundscheune), rectory dating from 1736, and the Wöschhüsli, is listed as a protected building and classified as worthy of preservation.

Limpach Church

A small church already stood on the Chilchrain in Limpach in the Middle Ages. It was first mentioned in writing in 1276, together with the village.

The small medieval church became increasingly dilapidated in the 18th century. As a result, Johann Daniel Osterrieth (Bernese city architect) built the current larger church in an elegant classicist style in 1808 . A friendly and bright Empire-style preaching hall welcomes visitors, and the beautiful sandstone work at the main entrance and tower is eye-catching. The view over the roofs of Limpach and into the wide plain is enchanting in every season.

Three bells have been ringing in the church tower since 1923. The large bell was cast in 1514 and has been ringing out over the Limpach valley ever since. The middle bell was installed in 1923 and the small bell has been ringing since 1842.

A new organ was installed in 1980. A few years later, the interior of the church was renovated.

The church can accommodate around 200 people. Thanks to its exceptional acoustics, the bright and friendly church interior is ideal for small and large concerts.

Just below the church is the Pfrundschüür. Its infrastructure can accommodate up to 80 people.

Current program

• https://www.hallokirche.ch/agenda/

Church service

• https://www.hallokirche.ch/gottesdienste/

What to do in case of...

• https://www.hallokirche.ch/im-lauf-des-lebens/

Our parish

• https://www.hallokirche.ch/über-uns/

Offers and groups

• https://www.hallokirche.ch/angebote/