Small Reformed Church in Debrecen, Reformed church in Debrecen, Hungary.
The Small Reformed Church stands on Révész Square at the corner of Piac and Széchenyi streets, originally built in Baroque style and rebuilt in Neo-Romanesque form in 1876, which still defines its exterior. Its stone church, begun with a donation from the citizen Báthory Szabó András, seated 1,600 people, and a copper orb was placed atop the tower in 1726. The tower now has a bastion-like, dome-less shape, hence the local name Csonkatemplom, "truncated church".
A simple wooden worship building stood here until it burned down in the fire of 1719; during the Rákóczi War of Independence imperial troops used it as a stable. A new stone church with 1,600 seats was begun with a donation from the citizen Báthory Szabó András, and a copper orb was placed atop its tower in 1726. A fire in 1727 caused serious damage, and restoration took four years. In 1860 the church hosted the great assembly protesting the imperial decree that banned Protestant self-government.
The church keeps the local name kistemplom, or small church, because the predecessor of today's Great Church was the András church. Its 1790 copf-style pulpit and the organ built by István Kiszeli are the pieces to look for inside. Between the world wars the congregation was the first to serve communion wine in 150 small cups instead of a few large chalices, refilling only washed cups.
The church sits centrally on Révész Square and is easily accessible on foot, with the main entrance clearly visible. Visitors should be aware that regular worship services take place and respect for ongoing religious activities is important.
During the interwar years this church introduced individual communion cups for hygiene: 150 small chalices replaced a few large ones, and wine was poured only into washed cups. The 1790 copf-style pulpit and the organ built by István Kiszeli are the interior details to look for.
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