St Niklaus chapel

The small chapel in Gstaad does not stand in an elevated position, but on the side of the road. In the landscape chronicle of Saanen, the year 1402 is mentioned for the construction of a chapel in Gstaad. With the introduction of the Reformation in 1556, all holy images and altars were removed. In the middle of the 17th century, the room was extended to the north and at the beginning of the 18th century, the chapel was enlarged.

Since Gstaad suffered from a lack of schoolrooms at the end of the 19th century, the small church found a new use as a schoolroom. In 1923 the chapel had had its day as a schoolroom, because a new schoolhouse could be built in the Rütti. Contrary to many voices advocating the demolition of the church, it was restored and returned to the parish for use.

Since 1926, the St. Niklaus Chapel has had its present form with the rebuilt choir, sacristy and tower in the older and slimmer form.

The organ was installed in 1957 and extensively refurbished in 2017, so that today it once again rings beautifully through the worship space.

Originally, two bells rang in Gstaad for services and prayers. Both were cast in 1404. The smaller bell was melted down in 1807 when the big bell was cast in Saanen. The larger bell, however, has been hanging in the tower of the chapel since 1404.