Lost in thought, could this really be the place where a community’s dreams took flight? This is the Budahegyvidéki Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma. Its story is one of resilience, faith and architectural vision.
Let’s delve into the history of this special church. Budahegyvidéki Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma stands in Budapest’s XII. district. Specifically, it is on Kék Golyó street. The church was consecrated on April 7, 2001. But its journey began long before that celebratory day.
In the 19th century, Buda had only one Lutheran congregation. Princess Mária Dorottya, wife of József nádor, founded it in 1819. Services first took place in her home. Later, the first Buda Evangelical church was built in 1847. It stood in Dísz tér. However, this church was demolished in 1895. A new church was built at Bécsi kapu tér. It was named the Budai Ágostai Hitvallású Evangélikus Egyház. As the number of Lutherans grew, new congregations formed. These included Óbuda and Kelenföld.
The Budahegyvidéki Evangélikus Egyházközség faced many challenges. The congregation first gathered in 1936. Glatz József preached in the Németvölgyi úti elementary school. After seven years, they received land for a church. But World War II halted construction plans. The military seized their meeting place in 1944. Services moved to a Reformed prayer room. The siege of Budapest brought immense suffering. Four pastors from the Budai Egyházközség died. The Budahegyvidék congregation dwindled to fewer than 2000 members.
After repeated displacements the congregation bought land in 1958. It was located on Királyhágó street. However, they could not get a building permit. To survive, they sold the valuable land in 1961. For over three years, the congregation lacked leadership.
Finally, in 1993, the opportunity arose to build a church. In 1994, the Budahegyvidéki Evangélikus Egyházközség received land. It was compensation from the state. The land was on Kék Golyó street. The site was in disarray. Dilapidated houses, garages and a storage building stood there. After eight years of dedicated work, these structures were removed. The current church was then built.
Benczúr László, a Ybl Prize-winning architect, designed the Budahegyvidéki Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma. His designs offered the best functional solution for the limited space. The church has a beautiful exterior and interior. It features modern equipment and is accessible to all.
One year after its construction, the Budahegyvidéki Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma acquired an organ. It has two manuals and a pedal. The organ features 17 registers and 1053 pipes. It has a French Baroque sound. Gálos Miklós designed it. The Pécsi Orgonakészítő Manufaktúra built it in 2002.
The Budahegyvidéki Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma stands as a testament to perseverance. It symbolizes the enduring spirit of its community. Services, Bible studies, and choir practices fill its halls. It serves as a beacon of faith in the heart of Budapest. The church’s address is 1123 Budapest, Kék Golyó u. 17.