Guardians of Their Ancestors’ Faith and Language
Did you know that Austria’s oldest Reformed church is a Hungarian church? Perhaps this is not surprising, since our ancestors built churches throughout the Carpathian Basin over the course of centuries, many of which are still standing today. This time, I invite my readers on a journey to Oberwart (Felsőőr), where they can discover a church built between 1771 and 1773.
A few days ago, I visited Oberwart for the first time in my life. The first population of the border settlement, founded during the era of the Hungarian conquest, was of székely origin. It was a joy to hear, as soon as I stepped out of my car, two teenagers speaking Hungarian to one another. Soon afterward, however, I also heard German and Croatian spoken. The town, which is slightly larger than Tasnád, is home to several ethnic communities living side by side.
A short walk through the town centre brings us to the Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed churches, as well as the war memorial in the central park. Inscribed on the monument are the names of those who gave their lives for their homeland during the First and Second World Wars. As we arrive at the Reformed church, a congregational event is just beginning. One of the ladies warmly greets us. We immediately feel at home, just as we do wherever Reformed Christians live.
From the outside we admire the impressive church. What strikes me as unusual is that it has windows on two levels, while a sundial is also mounted on the tower. At first, I notice only the section of the sundial on the western side of the tower, but then I realize that it continues onto the southern wall. I had never seen such a design before. It is certainly an interesting solution.
Like the Reformed churches in Nagykároly, this church is not situated along the main road. Instead, it is tucked away behind a row of houses. Only from the rear can the house of God be admired in all its splendour. Its surroundings are beautifully maintained, and the bright red geraniums decorating the veranda of the old parsonage are especially charming.
The Reformed community has existed continuously in Oberwart since 1550. It is the oldest Protestant congregation in Austria. During the Counter-Reformation, the community remained faithful to its beliefs. In 1921, the town became part of Austria, and in 1923 the congregation joined the Reformed Church in Austria. Today, the Oberwart congregation is Austria’s easternmost Reformed parish.
The Reformed church is the only Protestant church in Austria that was built before Emperor Joseph II issued his Patent of Toleration. Although Empress Maria Theresa granted permission for its construction, church towers were still forbidden at that time. The church building was erected between 1770 and 1772, and its solemn dedication took place on 10 January 1773. Accordingly, in 2023 the congregation celebrated the church’s 250th anniversary. The architect was Christoph Preising. In 1810, the church tower was finally built. A clock was installed on the tower in 1811. In 1856, the pulpit was remodelled into its present form, while in 1907 the double-headed eagle was removed from the top of the tower. Today, the church is distinguished by the gilded star crowning the tower and its remarkable sundial.
Every weekend, God's Word is proclaimed from the pulpit: one Sunday in Hungarian, the next in German. The congregation remains vibrant and active, regularly organizing a variety of community events. The town’s three historic denominations publish a joint newsletter featuring news from the Reformed, Roman Catholic and Lutheran congregations alike.
Since we visited the town on a weekday, we were unfortunately unable to attend a worship service with the congregation. We could not listen together to God's Word or praise the Lord in song. Even so, it was a deeply moving experience to see and feel that not only east of Hungary, but also to its west, there are still people who have remained faithful guardians of their ancestors’ faith and language.
Sebestyén Elek Előd
