Jesuit Church
Jesuit Church (Jesuitenkirche) · Lucerne, Switzerland
The Jesuit Church in Lucerne is the first large Baroque church built in Switzerland. Erected between 1666 and 1677 on the banks of the river Reuss, it is considered one of the country's most important sacred buildings.
The church was commissioned by the Jesuit order and dedicated to Francis Xavier, one of its founding members and a famous missionary.
Its bright interior features rich stucco work and a grand ceiling fresco, redesigned in the mid-18th century in Rococo style.
The two distinctive onion-domed towers were completed only in 1893.
Things to know about the Jesuit Church
The Church That Changed Everything
The First Great Baroque Church in Switzerland
Why the Jesuits Came to Lucerne
A Decision with Lasting Consequences
The Red Stucco Marble
In the Jesuit Church of Lucerne, the magnificent high altar, standing nineteen meters tall, is an absolute focal point. Yet it is not made of solid, natural marble, but rather of artful red stucco marble — and fine Lahn marble. Stucco marble is a technique for imitating marble and stone, defined by the additive application of pigmented gypsum mortar and a characteristic surface compression. It is composed of gypsum, size, and pigments, and is produced through laborious handcraft. This high-quality imitation technique allows for highly individual surface designs. During the Baroque period, stucco marble became a defining decorative element of prestigious buildings. The reasons for preferring it over natural stone included the freedom to choose any color and texture, its lighter weight, and the opportunity to demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship. Specialized stucco workers of that era created pieces that even surpassed the value of carved marble. This refined technique was used throughout the Baroque to create strikingly convincing imitations of precious stone.
The Jesuits in Switzerland Today
Around 25 Jesuits live in Switzerland at five different locations. They belong to the Central European Province and share their journey with fellow members in Germany, Austria, Sweden, Lithuania, and Latvia. They do not live in monasteries and do not wear a uniform religious habit. Instead, they live in communities — small groups that shape their daily lives and their work in the world.
Illuminated Facade and Light Show Inside
During the Lucerne Light Festival, which takes place every year in January, the facade of the Jesuit Church is bathed in a spectacular display of light. Several times a day, a light show accompanied by music is also presented inside the Jesuit Church, sometimes even alongside a live organ performance. This dazzling spectacle transports the Jesuit Church into an entirely different dimension, and visitors are captivated year after year by the interplay of music, light, and architecture. The light show is sometimes even accompanied by live bands and typically lasts between thirty and fifty minutes. So when the city slips into its winter slumber in January and the rooftops are blanketed in snow, both the city of Lucerne and the Jesuit Church are absolutely worth a visit.