Rákospalota MÁV Telepi Jézus Szíve Templom

Hidden amidst the houses of three housing estates, the Rákospalota MÁV-telepi Jézus Szíve Plébániatemplom stands as a quiet sanctuary. It’s tucked away, almost invisible from the main road. The church’s official address is Mozdonyvezető utca 2. Its story, like any church, spans generations of a community. It reflects the dreams of those who built it and those who’ve kept it alive. The Rákospalota MÁV-telepi Jézus Szíve Plébániatemplom celebrated its 75th anniversary, marking three generations of shared history. By the end of World War I, the MÁV-telep (Hungarian State Railways housing estate) was well-established. Over a thousand workers from the Istvántelek Railway Workshop lived there. They populated the surrounding areas: Istvántelek, MÁV-telep, Rákospalota-Újtelep and Széchenyi-telep. Around 1920, the local Catholic community began using a small chapel on nearby Rákos út. The nearest church, however, was in Óregpalota, a considerable distance. The two-kilometer journey posed a challenge, especially for the elderly, sick, and families with children. Throughout the 1920s, they petitioned for their own church, but faced resistance from the Magyarok Nagyasszonya church. A determined woman, Mrs. Berta Várady, lobbied successfully for permission from the Bishop of Vác to build the Rákospalota MÁV-telepi Jézus Szíve Plébániatemplom. She established a women’s committee alongside the existing men’s building committee, proving instrumental in fundraising. Mrs. Várady’s efforts were extensive, organizing garden parties, industrial fairs, theatrical performances, tea parties, and dinners. Donations were collected in church, street urns, and through the sale of bricks, even for stained-glass windows and mosaic flooring. The church was designed by architect Béla Heintz, known for his work on the Wekerle estate’s Szent József Church. He blended the Roman school style with modern elements. Construction began in 1934, with the walls and tower completed by 1935. The interior took another three years, funded by the community’s contributions. Fears arose about the durability of the reinforced concrete and the modern style of the frescoes by György Leszkovszky. Leszkovszky used sgraffito, an ancient technique where paint is applied to fresh mortar, becoming a permanent part of the wall. The vibrant stained-glass windows were designed by Ernő Kölber and created by Károly Majoros. Unfortunately, they were destroyed during World War II. A legend suggests they were removed and hidden, but memories of their destruction in a bombing contradict this. The original organ, a gift from a MÁV official, was replaced by one from the Music Academy. The four bells in the tower have their own story. The largest, Szent István, was cast in 1946. The others, from 1938, were made by László Szlezák, a local bell founder. The Szent István bell was used at the Eucharistic World Congress in 1938, its sound broadcast globally. It was later requisitioned for the war effort and recast in 1946. The Rákospalota MÁV-telepi Jézus Szíve Plébániatemplom was originally intended to be dedicated to Don Bosco. However, it ultimately became a Church of the Sacred Heart. The church remains in good condition, with ongoing efforts to restore the frescoes and address persistent dampness. The church stands as a testament to the community’s enduring spirit and dedication.