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Altstadt in Zürich, Switzerland — Central Europe (the Alps)
 

Rosa Gutknecht

 
 
Rosa Gutknecht Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 17, 2024
1. Rosa Gutknecht Marker
Inscription.  
In diesem Haus wohnte von 1928 bis zu ihrem Tod

Rosa Gutknecht
1885-1959
Erste Schweizer Theologin

Nach dem Studium der reformierten Theologie und dem Staatsexamen an der Universität Zürich wurden Rosa Gutknecht und ihre Studienkollegin Elise Pfister 1918 als erste Frauen in Europa ordiniert. Nun zwar VDM - Verbi Divini Ministrae, Dienerinnen am göttlichen Wort- wurden sie dennoch vom Regierungsrat des Kantons Zürich nicht als wahlfähige Pfarrerinnen anerkannt. Stattdessen schuf die Zürcher Landeskirche die Bezeichnung der Pfarrhelferin. So wirkte Rosa Gutknecht von 1919 bis 1953 als erste Pfarrhelferin am Grossmünster mit Schwerpunkt auf der kirchlichen Fürsorge- und Sozialarbeit.

Ehrung durch die Gesellschaft zu Fraumünster
Sechseläuten 2013

(English translation:)
In this house from 1928 until her death lived

Rosa Gutknecht
1885-1959
First female Swiss theologian

After studying Reformed theology and passing the state examination at the University of Zurich, Rosa Gutknecht and her fellow student Elise Pfister
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were the first women in Europe to be ordained in 1918. Although they were VDM - Verbi Divini Ministrae, “servants of the divine word” - they were nevertheless not recognized as eligible pastors by the government of the Canton of Zurich. Instead, the Zurich regional church created the title of parish assistant. Rosa Gutknecht worked as the first parish assistant at the Grossmünster from 1919 to 1953, focusing on church welfare and social work.

Honored by the Gesellschaft zu Fraumünster
Sechseläuten 2013

 
Erected 2013 by Gesellschaft zu Fraumünster.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious StructuresWomen. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
 
Location. 47° 22.233′ N, 8° 32.653′ E. Marker is in Zürich. It is in Altstadt. It is at the intersection of Zwingliplatz and Römergasse, on the left when traveling north on Zwingliplatz. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Zwingliplatz 1, Zürich 8001, Switzerland. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Zum Loch (here, next to this marker); Das Haus zum Loch (a few steps from this marker); Anna Bullinger-Adlischwyler (within shouting distance of this marker); Grössmunster (within shouting distance of this marker);
Rosa Gutknecht Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 17, 2024
2. Rosa Gutknecht Marker - wide view
The marker is visible on the corner of the building, just below the blue marker.
Grossmünsterkapelle (within shouting distance of this marker); Wettinghäuser / Wettinger Buildings (within shouting distance of this marker); Zur Sul (within shouting distance of this marker); Haus zur Sul (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Zürich.
 
Also see . . .  Rosa Gutknecht (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Laura Elisabeth Rosa Gutknecht (1885–1959) was a German-born Swiss theologian and cleric. In 1918, together with Elise Pfister, she was one of the first two women to graduate in theology. The same year, both were ordained as pastors of the Reformed Church of Zürich. They are considered to be the first women in Europe to be ordained as pastors.
(Submitted on August 25, 2024.) 
 
Rosa Gutknecht image. Click for full size.
Tages Anzeiger via Wikimedia Commons, circa 1920
3. Rosa Gutknecht
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 160 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on August 25, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
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Jun. 6, 2026