Churwalden - St. Maria und Michael

A Premonstratensian convent got established here around 1150, only a decade after this order had settled in nearby Chur and only 30 years after Saint Norbert (aka "Norbert of Xanten") had founded the Premonstratensians (aka "Norbertines") in Prémontré near Laon. The Premonstratensians were a really fast growing order in Europe at that time (- and they still exist).

The first church of the convent was built on a different site, but in the early 13th century, a Romanesque church, dedicated to Saint Michael, was erected here. In 1472 the church burnt down and got rebuilt (and enlarged) using the old foundations. In 1502 the new church was dedicated to Mary, St. Michael and the holy angels.

During the Swiss Reformation the Premonstratensians had to withdrew, so from 1646 to 1967 the church was as a "simultaneum" used equally by Catholics and by Reformed Protestants, worshipping here at different times and with different clergies. Since 1967 the Protestants use an own (new) parish church.