Chemin des Ballons 4The Church of Château-d'Oex was undoubtedly the first in all of old Gruyère, in the upper valley of the Sarine upstream from Broc. The Church hosts concerts as part of the Gstaad Menuhin Festival.
A first parish church existed around 1073 under the name of Saint Donat. It depended on the priory of Rougemont. Apparently located near Villa-d'Oex, the church was rebuilt at the beginning of the 15th century on the motte of the former count's castle. Its assignment to the Reformed cult dates back to 1555.
Spared by two other fires which devastated the village in 1664 and 1741, in July 1800 the temple was affected by the great fire which destroyed the village. All the wooden parts are consumed, the frame and the interior galleries must be completely rebuilt.
Rebuilt from 1801 to 1802, the temple was inaugurated on its hill in December 1802, thanks to the remarkable work of stonemasons from Italy. The old spire is replaced by a new Baroque bell tower as we know it today.