“What makes this Pestújhely-Újpalotai Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma special?” I ask. This church is more than bricks and mortar. It is a testament to faith and community.
Welcome to the Pestújhely-Újpalotai Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma. This Lutheran church stands in Budapest’s 15th district. It is a local treasure with a rich history.
The congregation initially belonged to Rákospalota. World War I slowed their progress. But the Luther League helped them regroup in the 1920s. By 1922, they were a missionary church with their own registry. Béla Komjáthy a pastor known for building churches started fundraising in 1928.
Gyula Sándy designed the Pestújhely-Újpalotai Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma. He also oversaw its construction without pay. The community donated the land. Bishop Sándor Raffay and Kemény Lajos dedicated the church on November 26 1933. The Pestújhely-Újpalotai Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma had only a partial tower then. Members donated pews altar pulpit and even the small bell.
World War II caused much damage to the Pestújhely-Újpalotai Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma. Six bombs hit it. The tower’s walls fell. The roof collapsed. The organ was silent. The congregation was without a pastor. Yet they rebuilt it in four months. The first service was held on Good Friday in 1946. By 1949 the church was fully restored inside and out.
The Pestújhely-Újpalotai Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma features a distinctive Hungarian style. Its red brick and red tile roof are eye-catching. The tower has Renaissance-style details. A cross tops a sphere on the tower. The tower splits into two sections with arched windows on each side. Buttresses support the building. These have miniature towers. The entrance has columns and an arch. The inscription “Erős vár a mi Istenünk” surrounds a colorful Luther rose.
Inside the Pestújhely-Újpalotai Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma the Hungarian style continues. The pulpit is faux marble. The pews have carved and painted Luther roses. István Szita painted scenes from the Gospel of John. These secco paintings illustrate Christ’s life. They remind rather than narrate.
The Pestújhely-Újpalotai Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma has two bells. The larger bell weighs 322 kg. Seltenhofer Frigyes fiai cast it in Sopron in 1938. The smaller bell weighs 150 kg. The same company cast it in 1938 as well.
In 1993 the Pestújhely-Újpalotai Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma installed lighting. They also completed a full renovation. Today the Pestújhely-Újpalotai Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma stands as a symbol of resilience. It is a testament to the community’s enduring faith.
As you leave the Pestújhely-Újpalotai Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma remember its story. It is a story of faith community and perseverance. The Pestújhely-Újpalotai Evangélikus Egyházközség temploma is a true gem of Budapest.