Rákospalotai Evangélikus Gyülekezet

In 1791, a pivotal moment occurred for the Rákospalotai Evangélikus Gyülekezet. They received permission from King Leopold II to build a school. This school also became the site of their Sunday services, initially held in Slovak and later in Hungarian. The congregation of the Rákospalotai Evangélikus Gyülekezet first took root during the Reformation. Slovak settlers, embracing the Evangelical faith, arrived in the area. Rákospalota, now part of Budapest’s 15th district, was then a sparsely populated land reclaimed from the Ottomans. The Rákospalotai Evangélikus Gyülekezet faced trials early in its history. In 1749, they lost their church and the freedom to practice their faith. Forced to worship elsewhere, they journeyed to Cinkota for services. By 1774, the Rákospalotai congregation officially became a branch of the Cinkota church. The Rákospalotai Evangélikus Gyülekezet’s first permanent church, now known as the “Kistemplom” (Small Church), was built in 1855. This church, situated on Juhos Street, was built on land donated by Count István Károlyi. Records describe it as a modest structure, nine fathoms long and six fathoms wide, with white walls and a shingled tower. The altar, painted crimson, dominated the interior. Above it, the Ten Commandments were displayed. A simple inscription over the entrance read, “To the prayer of God”. In 1861, the village bought its freedom from Count Károlyi, solidifying the independence of the Rákospalotai Evangélikus Gyülekezet. A decade later, in 1871, the congregation became independent and achieved the status of a mother church. In a fascinating twist, Ferenc Kossuth, son of the famous Lajos Kossuth, served as the church’s supervisor in 1894. As the 20th century dawned, the Rákospalotai Evangélikus Gyülekezet continued to grow. The Kistemplom became too small. Plans for a larger church, the “Nagytemplom” (Great Church), were drawn up by László György and Jenő Szalkay. Construction began in 1936. Six years later, on December 21, 1941, Bishop Sándor Kovács consecrated the new building. Funding came largely from the congregation’s donations. Remarkably, the Nagytemplom survived World War II without significant damage. Today, this unique, square-shaped church stands proudly on Régi Fóti út. Its four towers, modern architectural style, and grand, light-filled interior bear witness to the resilience and unwavering faith of the Rákospalotai Evangélikus Gyülekezet.