The whispers of history echo from these very stones. This is the Főti református templom. Its story begins long ago. Legend speaks of a pre-existing structure. A Roman church perhaps. Its stones were reused centuries later. A 12th-century church rose from those foundations. This was long before the Reformation.
The Főti református templom wasn’t always Reformed. Reformation ideas spread in the 1530s. Initially it was Lutheran. After 1537 it shifted to Calvinism. The church became Reformed along with most of the village. In 1554 the congregation officially formed. The Catholic Church tried to reclaim it. They failed. The Főti református templom remained Reformed.
Renovations occurred in 1714 and 1725. A significant change happened in 1752. Veszprémi Ferenc designed an alteration. The church was partially demolished and rebuilt. This ensured the Catholics couldn’t regain control. A common tactic at the time.
Lightning struck the tower in 1829. It was rebuilt only by 1867. The 1850s saw a complete reconstruction. The original architectural style was lost. The current Főti református templom is a blend of Gothic and Romantic elements. It’s a unique landmark in the village.
The church stands 39 meters tall. Its main facade features a three-story bell tower. The ground floor has a semi-circular arched doorway. Above it is a Romantic rose window. The tower’s other windows are slender and tall. The square base transitions to an octagonal section. This holds the bells. A pointed spire topped with a finial and star completes the tower.
Side facades mirror each other. Both have projecting sections. They also have arched doorways and rose windows. Four pointed windows grace each side. Beneath seven additional long paired windows is a gallery. This was added in the 1950s to improve access for the choir. The original steep staircase was considered too difficult. The roofline is gabled with a star at the ridge.
The interior is a hall-church style. The ceiling is flat and plastered. Walls are painted white. It seats 600. Central pews circle the altar and pulpit. The pulpit is intricately carved. The entrance is flanked by galleries. The organ gallery opposite the tower was expanded in 1954. Bérés János donated the metal framework of the floor. An iron chandelier hangs above the altar. It features biblical quotes.
Three bells hang in the tower. The largest weighs 600 kg. Cast in 1923 it commemorates soldiers lost in World War I. The 300 kg bell dates from 1947. It replaced a bell lost in World War II. The smallest bell weighs 100 kg. Cast in 1923 it carries a quote from Matthew 5:8.
The Főti református templom’s organ is a marvel. The original 13-register instrument was built in 1887. It was renovated and expanded in 1974. The improvements involved donations from the congregation and Dutch churches. The final organ boasts three manuals 28 registers and two combinations. Its magnificent sound fills the Főti református templom. The church however hosts few concerts. Its neighbour the Roman Catholic church is much more popular with tourists.
The Főti református templom’s history is rich. It’s a testament to resilience faith and community. This is a place of worship a historical treasure and a vibrant community center. This is the heart of Főt.