The first Capuchins in Upper ValaisCapuchins from Central Switzerland worked as a kind of "itinerant preachers" in various places in Upper Valais from 1603-1606 and from 1628-1630.
Today there is still a "Capuchin house" in Ernen (Goms). The Capuchins were also known to the people of Upper Valais through the monastery in Sitten. From there, individual friars repeatedly provided temporary help in the Upper Valais. Kaspar von Stockalper, the builder of the Stockalper Palace, built a monastery for the Capuchins in 1659. For political reasons, however, an unfriendly wind blew against the Capuchins, so they moved out again after only five years. The monastery was then used by private individuals as living quarters, and the church was converted into a theatre for the Jesuit College in 1762. Until it was demolished a few years ago, it housed a cinema.
The monastery building New start after 300 years: In 1944, planning began for a new monastery on a new site. It could be occupied on 9 October 1948.
Convent fire and reconstruction: In 1979 a fire destroyed part of the monastery. In 1981, the friars were able to return to the "new" monastery.
In 2017, the Swiss Capuchin Order unfortunately had to give up its branch in Glis due to a lack of new recruits. The canton of Valais acquired the entire property and has since made it available to the "Emera" foundation as living space for disabled persons.
Today there is still a "Capuchin house" in Ernen (Goms). The Capuchins were also known to the people of Upper Valais through the monastery in Sitten. From there, individual friars repeatedly provided temporary help in the Upper Valais. Kaspar von Stockalper, the builder of the Stockalper Palace, built a monastery for the Capuchins in 1659. For political reasons, however, an unfriendly wind blew against the Capuchins, so they moved out again after only five years. The monastery was then used by private individuals as living quarters, and the church was converted into a theatre for the Jesuit College in 1762. Until it was demolished a few years ago, it housed a cinema.
The monastery building New start after 300 years: In 1944, planning began for a new monastery on a new site. It could be occupied on 9 October 1948.
Convent fire and reconstruction: In 1979 a fire destroyed part of the monastery. In 1981, the friars were able to return to the "new" monastery.
In 2017, the Swiss Capuchin Order unfortunately had to give up its branch in Glis due to a lack of new recruits. The canton of Valais acquired the entire property and has since made it available to the "Emera" foundation as living space for disabled persons.
The church continues to be available for spiritual occasions in the Christian sense.