Denomination Lutheram Diocese Diocese of Buda | Founded 1895 Phone +36 1 356 9736 | |
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Parish Lutheran Parish of Budavár Address Budapest, Táncsics Mihály u. 28, 1014 Hungary Architectural style Baroque Revival architecture Similar Castle Hill, Bécsi kapu, Budavár, Sándor Palace - Budapest, Szilágyi Dezső Square R | ||
Lutheran Church of Budavár is the oldest Lutheran church of Buda. It was built in 1895 at Bécsi kapu tér in District I of Budapest, Hungary.
The first church for the Lutherans of Buda was built by Maria Dorothea, third wife of Palatine Joseph, in 1846, at hu:Dísz tér. The site was taken over by the Ministry of Defence, so a new church was built near Bécsi kapu.
The building was designed by Mór Kallina and it was consecrated in 1895 by Sámuel Sárkány, bishop of the Lutheran diocese of Bánya. It has eclectic neobaroque style with a neobaroque façade. Its entrance is surrounded by two Corinthian order-like columns with shoulders. It has a tall, slim square tower whose steeple is again neobaroque in style. There is a double loft over the entrance.
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Most of the church was destroyed by a bomb detonation during the Siege of Budapest in 1945. Only the façade escaped destruction. The classicist altar, benches and organ were all lost. Plans for reconstruction were made by Lóránt Friedrich and Jr Gyula Bretz. The new church was sanctified by Lajos Ordas bishop on Palm Sunday, 1948. While the exterior retained its neobaroque flavour, the interior became much simpler. There is a huge cross behind the wooden altar table and a mosaic window over it admitting some light within. There is a red marble chrzcielnica at the altar and a bronze tablet about vicar Gábor Sztehlo.
This church today is the centre of liturgical life for the Lutheran Diocese of Budavár. There are several services every Sunday and on holidays. Flats and offices for the vicars, rooms for the congregation and the centre for the German speaking Lutheran Diocese of Budavár adjoin the church. Since 1952, it has also been the centre of the Northern Lutheran See. Several bishops were ordained here.
The tower and the paved area in front of the church were renovated in 2008.