“Peace be with you” These words greet you above the entrance to the Nagytétényi Református templom. This unassuming church holds a rich history. A history woven into the very fabric of Budapest’s past. Let me tell you its story.
The Nagytétényi Református templom wasn’t always a grand church. Its beginnings are humble. After the Battle of Mohács in 1526 much of Tétény was destroyed. The Catholic priest fled. The remaining faithful were left without a shepherd. Protestant preachers were called in. They held services in the Roman Catholic church until 1686. Even the reformer István Szegedi Kis preached there.
Then came the period of forceful re-Catholicization. German settlers replaced the Calvinist Hungarians. For almost two centuries Protestants were absent from Tétény. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that a significant Protestant population returned. They established an independent Reformed congregation. They lacked a proper place of worship. For some time they used the Budafoki Reformed Church. In 1924 the Nagytétényi Reformed parish was formally established. Still they lacked a church.
Finally in 1926 fundraising began. By 1929 the church and parsonage were completed. Services previously held in private homes now had a proper place. Bishop Lajos Göde consecrated the new building. The Reformed Observer weekly newspaper reported on the event.
Initially the building was considered a prayer house. It was only in 1956 that it became officially a church. This is when a bell tower was added. The design was by architect István G. Jó. Notice the simple elegance of the building. It’s rectangular in shape. The whitewashed walls and simple window designs are reminiscent of homes built in the 1920s.
Step inside and admire the details. The raised pulpit and beautifully carved pews are the work of local craftsmen. They date from the 1930s. The pulpit itself and the four presbytery seats were added later in 1939. The beautifully illustrated 1805 edition of the Károli Bible rests open on the pulpit. A red velvet cover with gold trim and white lace adds to the beauty. Two Persian rugs are a gift from Árpád Szepessy. The electric organ originates from the Netherlands.
The spiral staircase leads to a now-closed balcony used for children’s services. There is even a chalice on the top of the sound system. The Nagytétényi Református templom is more than just a building. It is a testament to faith resilience and community. A place where the echoes of history meet the warmth of present-day worship. A simple building yet full of stories and the spirit of those who built it.