Reformed church in Kecskemét, Reformed Christian church in Kecskemét, Hungary
The Reformed church in Kecskemét stands at Szabadság tér 7, with a 53-metre baroque tower topped by a sphere, star and flag. Its two-nave interior preserves a coloured capital from the originally painted decoration, and the first gallery rests on square pillars of Tardos red limestone, cleaned during the 2019–20 renovation.
The church was built after 1680 following a major fire that destroyed the earlier wooden structure in 1678. Construction took place during a period when the region was under Ottoman rule.
The Rákóczi bell, a gift from the Protestant Transylvanian prince György I. Rákóczi, was recast in 1856 with a smaller bell and now weighs 2000 kg. On funeral days the Rákóczi bell rings for a man and the Szappanos bell for a woman, three verses if the deceased was confirmed and two if not. The church also hosts the 'KERT' youth service with light music during the school term.
The church stands at Szabadság tér 7 in the city centre. Morning devotions run Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 7:15 during the school term, and only the Szappanos bell rings for them, between 7:10 and 7:15. Sunday services begin at 9:00, 11:00 (family service) and 17:00, with a youth service in term time.
The Rákóczi bell, a gift from the Protestant Transylvanian prince György I. Rákóczi, weighs 2000 kg and was recast in 1856 by András Schaudt in Pest together with a smaller bell. At funerals it rings for a man, while the Szappanos bell rings for a woman; after three verses for a confirmed member, two otherwise, all four bells sound for five minutes.
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