Batthyány József, the Archbishop, established the Szent József Parish in 1777. It serves as a testament to faith and community in Budapest’s Józsefváros district. Previously, monks had ministered to scattered believers in various chapels.
The first church of Szent József was wooden. It stood where you are standing now. Construction of a stone church began in 1797. József Tallher designed it. The church was in use by 1798 but the towers were not completed until 1810.
Kasselik Fidél later gave the Szent József templomigazgatóság a neobarokk makeover for the millennium. This happened between 1891 and 1895. The Szent József templomigazgatóság covers 900 square meters.
The flood of 1838 tested the Szent József templomigazgatóság. While the church stood firm, many homes of parishioners collapsed. These parishioners were simple laborers. They spoke German, Slovak, and Hungarian. The first Hungarian sermon wasn’t preached until 1870.
For a century after the flood, the parish grew. It became one of Europe’s largest with 120,000 members. Prince Simor János founded a Catholic school for girls in the area. After World War I Benedictines opened a gymnasium nearby.
From 1928 the large parish began to split. Four new parishes formed from its territory. In 1979-1980 the Szent József templomigazgatóság underwent external renovations. These were funded by the Monument Supervision, the archdiocese, and the parishioners.
The parish house is owned by the capital city but managed by the church. The Szent József templomigazgatóság is a listed monument.
The Szent József templomigazgatóság stands as a beacon. Its history is etched in every stone. Its address is 1082 Budapest, Horváth Mihály tér 7. Michels Antal is the parish priest. The church has an urn cemetery. The Szent József templomigazgatóság celebrates its feast day on March 19.
The Szent József templomigazgatóság boasts three bells in its northern tower. Two were cast by Walser Ferenc in 1925. One was made by Szlezák Rafael in 1948. A smaller bell is not in use, though it was electrified in 2018.
The southern tower once held the Szent József bell. It was blessed by Cardinal Csernoch János in 1925. It was taken during World War II. The frame remains as a reminder.
The Szent József templomigazgatóság is a landmark. It represents faith, resilience, and community. Its story echoes through the streets of Józsefváros.