Basel’s Pauluskirche marks 125 years as a cultural hub

Basel’s Pauluskirche is celebrating its 125th anniversary as a church that now hosts cultural events alongside worship. In a report by SRF, venue director David Rossel said the former church had become an established meeting place during its five years as a cultural venue.

A live screening of the Eurovision Song Contest final drew about 600 people into the church, one of the venue’s highlights, Rossel said. Concerts and other events make use of the building’s space and acoustics.

Art historian Johannes Stückelberger, who teaches religious and church aesthetics at the universities of Bern and Basel, describes the change as expanded use rather than conversion: services still take place there, alongside cultural events. He called the Basel model successful and advised congregations to consider leasing church buildings rather than selling them, so contracts can protect their heritage while allowing contemporary uses.

Built between 1898 and 1901, the Art Nouveau church was commissioned for the St Leonhard parish as Basel was growing rapidly. The cantonal parliament approved the project in 1899, and the state, which then administered church property, paid about one million francs for construction, equivalent to around 46 million francs today.

The design by the architecture firm Curjel and Moser was selected from 57 competition entries. The Paulus neighbourhood developed around the church. Today, the building also hosts the Basel Choral Night, and a café operates in its garden.