Origin

The Early Middle Ages
Kriens is first mentioned in an early medieval deed of donation. During the reign of Emperor Charles III (881–887), Atha and Chriemhild transferred land in the “Chrientes” area to the Benedictine monastery in Hof, Lucerne.

The Church from the Year 1100
The oldest record of the church in Kriens comes from the town clerk Rennward Cysat (1545–1614). He reports on the first consecration of the church in December 1100: Bishop Gebhard III of Constance consecrated the church to Saints Gallus and Otmar.

The lower part of the present-day church tower of St. Gallus Church dates back to at least the 14th century. In 1552, a storm caused severe damage to the church. It is believed that the church was then rebuilt or renovated in 1589. A late-Gothic doorframe bearing this date at least suggests this. In 1591, the altar in the ossuary was consecrated.

The original church was oriented toward the east at that time. (Facing from west to east.)