“What could this building tell us?” I wonder as we approach the Kálvin téri református templom. It has been the center of Budapest’s Reformed community for about two centuries. Let’s uncover some of its secrets together.
The Kálvin téri református templom’s story began in 1816. The Reformed congregation started building their first church in Pest. It was designed in the classicist style by József Hofrichter and Vince Hild. Construction finished in 1830. But disaster struck in 1838.
The great Pest flood caused significant damage to the Kálvin téri református templom. József Hild redesigned the building during its restoration. He added the portico with a tympanum.
Pál Török bishop played a vital role in establishing Reformed education. Several institutions were founded nearby. These included the Reformed High School and the Theological Institute. To this day the area around Kálvin téri református templom remains an important spiritual center.
Inside the Kálvin téri református templom a beautiful organ awaits. The Deutschmann family from Vienna built it. Later in 1891 the Angster company renovated it. Sunlight illuminates the Kálvin terem. Roth Miksa’s stained glass windows decorate the room. They depict significant figures in Reformed Church history.
Did you know that a famous fountain once stood before the Kálvin téri református templom? Ybl Miklós designed the neorenaissance Danubius Fountain. It was inaugurated in October 1883. Since 1958 it has graced Erzsébet Square in the Inner City.
Beneath the Kálvin téri református templom lies a crypt. It became an important memorial site. Prominent Reformed citizens of Pest were buried here in the early 19th century. Among them was András Fáy a scientist and politician of the Reform Era. The crypt contains seventy-nine burial vaults.
Hermina the wife of Archduke Joseph was the first person buried here. She died in 1817. She had given birth to twins. After the 1838 flood her remains were moved. They now rest in the nádori crypt in Buda Castle.
Miklós Wesselényi also found temporary rest here. His final resting place is in Zsibó. He rested in the Kálvin téri református templom crypt for four years with his daughter.
Pál Balogh Gábor Báthory Elek Bethlen and József Csorba also rest in the crypt. Imre Péchy is also buried here. In 1868 Pest forbade burials within the city. For a time the crypt served as a coal cellar. It was renovated in January 2014. After decades of closure this unique burial site reopened to visitors. The Kálvin téri református templom continues to be a beacon.