Beneath this unique tent-like structure lies a story of faith. This is the Boldog Özséb templom. It stands as a testament to religious revival in post-World War II Hungary.
The Boldog Özséb templom is located in Békásmegyer. More precisely it is in the Pünkösdfürdő neighborhood. Its patron saint is Boldog Özséb or Blessed Eusebius. The church was consecrated in 1987. Archbishop László Paskai officiated the event.
Cardinal László Lékai frequently visited Békásmegyer. This was in the early 1980s. He noticed the lack of a church for the residents. An opportunity arose during his golden mass in 1984. His 75th birthday was approaching. State leaders asked how they could honor him. Lékai requested a new church and parish in Békásmegyer. After some initial hesitation, the city allocated land. It was once part of Vera Square.
Antal János was appointed organizing parish priest on October 15, 1984. The cornerstone was laid on October 21, 1984. A temporary chapel was quickly set up in an assembly building. The congregation celebrated Christmas there that year.
Construction began in July 1985. László Csaba designed the Boldog Özséb templom. Antal János oversaw the building process.
The chapel fostered community among the faithful. Donations poured in from home and abroad. The community worked hard. The Boldog Özséb templom rose rapidly. János Antal led the construction. László Csaba was the designer. Gyula Vajk managed finances. István Pozsár served as caretaker. Parishioners and others helped in every way.
László Lékai did not live to see the Boldog Özséb templom completed. László Paskai consecrated it on September 13, 1987. The church resembles a tent supported by four points. Its exterior features copper cladding. Glass walls define the sides. Stylized Romanesque portals mark it as a church.
The Boldog Özséb templom’s interior focuses on the altar. Walls rise behind it. They draw the eye upward. The building’s form evokes early Christian basilicas.
Judit B. Kopp’s relief sculptures decorate the liturgical space. János Pleidell designed the unique Stations of the Cross. Attila Mohay’s workshop created the Stations of the Cross glass mosaics. László Csaba’s wife designed the limestone and copper baptismal font. Lajos Pap’s workshop crafted it. The sanctuary resembles the stable in Bethlehem. Ferenc Ligeti’s carpenters built it. The pews also came from these workshops. László Csaba received the Ybl Prize in 1988 for his life’s work.
Design architect László Csaba was buried in the Boldog Özséb templom in 1995. Organizing Parish Priest János Antal was buried here in 2009. László Csaba’s wife was buried here in 2020.
The Boldog Özséb templom’s main pilgrimage is on September 13. This is the anniversary of its consecration. The parish address is Lékai Bíboros tér 8-10. Kónya Attila is the current parish priest. András Erdővégi is the assistant priest.
The four-point support of the Boldog Özséb templom symbolizes the Gospels. They are the foundations of Christian life. This unique church in Pünkösdfürdő stands as a testament of faith. It is a testament to community and perseverance.