Saint Joseph Church, Budapest District VIII, Catholic church building in District VIII, Hungary
Saint Joseph Church is the largest church in Budapest's District VIII, a twin-towered building in late Baroque style with Classical elements. Its west façade faces Horváth Mihály tér, topped by an attic statue of Saint Joseph carved by Lőrinc Dunaiszky in 1820. Inside, a single nave of three vaulted sections leads to a narrower sanctuary, with the high altar painting of the Apotheosis of Saint Joseph by Leopold Kupelwieser, dated 1837.
Archbishop József Batthyány founded the parish in 1777, dedicated to Saint Joseph. The foundation stone was laid in 1797 to plans by József Tallherr and built by mason Ignác Kundt; the façade followed in 1814 to designs by Fidél Kasselik. József Hild re-vaulted and restored the church in 1863–65, and Elek Barcza rebuilt it inside and out between 1891 and 1895.
The parish was founded in 1777 by Archbishop József Batthyány and dedicated to Saint Joseph; its congregation was initially German, Hungarian and Slovak, and the first Hungarian-language sermon was preached in 1870. Brother Roger of Taizé visited in 1984. Three bells hang in the north tower, two cast by Ferenc Walser the Younger in 1925 and one by Ráfael Szlezák in 1948.
The building is open for regular services and quiet visits during established hours and welcomes both worshippers and interested visitors. Those wishing to view the church should check on weekly service times, as these determine when the building is accessible.
The south tower stands empty: its 1,462 kg Saint Joseph bell, consecrated by Cardinal János Csernoch on 18 October 1925, was requisitioned in World War II. The frame, tongue and crown remain visible in the tower, and a replacement is still only planned.
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