Once upon a time, Lucerne was the Catholic capital of Switzerland, spearheading the battle for Catholicism to be the dominant religion in the region. The Jesuit Church was its pride and glory, a major symbol of Catholic strength, being the first official baroque church built in Switzerland. Its baroque style is precisely what gave it such power in the eyes of the people. Baroque architecture was used as a visual representation of Catholicism’s diversion from the muted, simple design adopted in Protestant churches, used as a tangible tool to contrast the relative austerity of the Protestant religion. The exuberantly decorative church with lavish design features such as dense ornament, striking asymmetry, fluid curves and pastel colours contrasted with golden gilding creates a feast for the eyes, using illusionary effects to entrance the viewer. Contrary to the somewhat dark and sombre atmosphere in certain churches, the Jesuit Church achieves a light and spacious ambience that inspires and lifts the soul. Almost theatrical in its extravagance, the grandeur of the Lucerne church will leave you awe-stricken, and you will realise how it would certainly have been powerfully persuasive as the first of its kind.

Today, the church is frequently used as a concert hall, the opulence of its architecture making it well suited for the splendour of the musical performances held within its walls. However, the original vestments of Brother Klaus, a well-known Swiss patron remains stored in the inner chapel, a lasting reminder of the roots of the church and its historical symbolism.