“Every Sunday morning at 9 am the bells start ringing”. Imagine living close to the Csillaghegy-Békásmegyeri Evangélikus Egyházközség imaháza. Some might find the sound irritating. Yet these bells call people to a place with a rich history.
The Csillaghegy-Békásmegyeri Evangélikus Egyházközség imaháza has a unique story. It reflects the changing times and the enduring faith of its community. Let’s delve into its past.
In 1928, about 110 Lutheran families lived in Csillaghegy-Békásmegyer. They organized a missionary assistant pastor position. In 1929, Móhr Henrik, a pastor and Pusztay József. a missionary assistant pastor cared for the congregation. They held their first general meeting.
By 1932, the missionary congregation officially formed. Mikler Sámuel Gusztáv became the pastor. At the time, it was known as the Csillaghegy – Szentendre – Pilishegyvidéki Ágostai Hitvallású Missziói Egyházközség. The congregation included Szentendre. It also covered Pilisvörösvár, Pomáz, Budakalász, Visegrád and the Pilis mountain region.
In 1933, Mikler Sámuel Gusztáv was officially inaugurated. The community of around one hundred people bought a villa in 1935. It was on Mátyás Király Road. Bishop Raffay Sándor consecrated it.
For years, they adapted the villa. It needed to serve liturgical and community events. It also provided housing for their pastor. In 1936, they dedicated a bell. László Sleják cast it in his foundry.
From the start of World War II, members collected money and materials. They planned to build a small neo-Gothic church. It would be next to the existing building. The siege and reconstruction delayed their plans. The pengő currency devalued. The building materials were scattered.
Csillaghegy became a mother church in 1940. During Mikler Sámuel Gusztáv’s time as founding pastor, the prayer house’s dome with the cross was built.
From 1944, Pastor Farkas Lajos cared for the congregation. From 1945, Pastor Kaposvári Vilmos took over. He served the longest. After his retirement, Pastor Benkő Béla served from 1981 to 1987. Changes began in the scattered community. Some settlements became independent as daughter churches. After Benkő Béla’s death in 1988, Donáth László succeeded him.
The small community faced trials in the late 1970s. The new Szentendrei road construction reduced the property. Building a church next to the community house became impossible. This was a problem because significant housing estates had been built. These were in Rómaifürdő and Békásmegyer. The original population increased five to sixfold.
The change of regime made rethinking the community’s plan unavoidable. Within a year or two, traffic on the highway became unbearable. It made the building unsuitable for worship and living. The new social system aimed to remedy past restrictions on church life. It became willing to support a new community center. In 1993, the church council decided to establish this center in nearby Békásmegyer.
Donáth László served as the congregation’s pastor from January 1988. He was inaugurated on October 22 by Szebik Imre. From 1994, as a Member of Parliament, Donáth László considered realizing the congregation’s old dream his main task. With the supervisor, Béla Thurnay, they achieved that the capital city and the III. district municipality transferred the land. The church could build a temple on it. The property covered nearly 8600 square meters. It lies on the border of the housing estate, old Békás, and Csillaghegy. According to the donation agreement unanimously supported by the metropolitan municipality on October 31, 1995, a church, a community house, a parsonage and social, health or educational institutions must be built on this land.
The congregation’s presbytery announced a public invitation to tender for the design. From the applications, Béla Pazár and MNDP Építőművész Kft.’s work was chosen. The foundation stone was laid on September 10, 1999. The building complex was consecrated on September 10, 2000. Bishop Imre Szebik officiated.
Today, the Csillaghegy-Békásmegyeri Evangélikus Egyházközség imaháza stands as a testament to faith and perseverance. It overcame challenges. It adapted to changing times. It continues to serve its community. Its story reminds us that even the simplest buildings can hold profound meaning.