Antoniuskirche (Saint Anthony's Church), Basel

Saint Anthony's Church, located in Basel's Saint Johann Quarter, stands as a striking example of modernist ecclesiastical architecture. Dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, this Roman Catholic church was constructed between 1925 and 1927 under the direction of architect Karl Moser and the construction firm G. Doppler and Son. As the first church in Switzerland built entirely from exposed concrete, it marks a groundbreaking moment in Swiss architectural history, completed nearly 25 years before the term "brutalism" was coined.

The church’s exterior presents a cohesive form, composed of three key elements: the portal, the longitudinal body, and a towering bell tower that rises 62 meters above the city. The tower includes a belfry housing five bells and is crowned with a tall concrete cross. The rectangular floor plan measures 60 by 22 meters, and the height of the main structure reaches 22 meters. While harmonizing with the surrounding multi-story residential buildings, the church’s bold design, particularly its tower and entrance, sets it apart.

Inside, the church is equally innovative. The design emphasizes functionality, with eight slender concrete pillars supporting the barrel vault and coffered ceilings of the narrow side aisles. The church floor is paved with red-brown clinker bricks crafted from Lausen clay, contributing to its warm and inviting atmosphere. The choir, though modestly sized, is richly adorned, with opposite it a singers' gallery and organ.

The large windows, 4.80 meters wide and 13.80 meters high, designed by Hans Stocker and Otto Staiger, feature vibrant colored glass depicting scenes from the lives of Jesus and Saint Anthony. Using antique glass, they combine modern artistry with traditional themes, creating dramatic interior lighting effects.

Saint Anthony's Church also boasts a significant musical heritage. Its organ, constructed in 1930–31 by Orgelbau Willisau AG, was the first large instrument in northwestern Switzerland to feature electro-pneumatic action. The organ, with nearly 5,000 pipes and 62 registers, remains a centerpiece of the church’s liturgical and musical activities.