In the heart of Újpest, a modern sanctuary stands. This is the Urunk Színeváltozása és Boldog Salkaházi Sára templom. Its story echoes the resilience of a community. For decades, the Catholics of Újpest lacked a local church. They traveled long distances to worship, yearning for a spiritual home. In the early 1990s, masses began in a simple apartment building, a testament to their devotion.
The dream of a dedicated church in Újpest took root. Plans were drawn, a site chosen at Újpest’s main square. Pope John Paul II even blessed the foundation stone in 1996. However, financial constraints stalled the project. Yet, the community’s faith remained unshaken.
Years later, a compromise emerged. The Urunk Színeváltozása és Boldog Salkaházi Sára templom found its home not on the main square, but on a plot of land between Pattogós utca and Szerencs utca. A new foundation stone was laid in 2006. In just ten months, the church rose, a symbol of hope and perseverance. It was consecrated on December 27, 2008.
The Urunk Színeváltozása és Boldog Salkaházi Sára templom embraces both the sacred and the social. Its 30-meter tower reaches towards the heavens, a beacon of faith. Inside, the mosaic altarpiece depicts the Transfiguration of Jesus. It features Moses and Elijah. It includes the apostles Peter, James, and John. Look closely, and you’ll find portraits of Hungarian saints and blesseds. These figures include Blessed Batthyány-Strattmann László, Blessed King Charles IV, Blessed Romzsa Tódor, Blessed Meszlényi Zoltán, and of course, Blessed Salkaházi Sára. The church can hold 500 worshippers. The main chapel provides seating for 300. Below, an altemplom offers a space for quiet reflection. There are also classrooms and a community hall, fostering a sense of togetherness. An urn cemetery provides a final resting place. The Urunk Színeváltozása és Boldog Salkaházi Sára templom serves not just as a place of worship. It acts as a center for social and charitable work, embodying the spirit of its namesake, Blessed Salkaházi Sára.