Construction works of the Gazdagrét LPS residential area began in 1983 and finished in 1989. In the 1990s on locals own initiative the establishment of Roman Catholic Holy Angels Church and parish started.

In 1989, the first masses were held in the community center, and the same year the catholic community was formed that later served as the basis for the parish. In March, 1990 the foundation stone of the church was laid, however, in the coming years construction progressed slowly as it was financed purely from parish members’ donations. From September that year holy masses were held in the assembly hall of a local high school. In 1991, Cardinal László Paskai transformed the catholic community into a separate parish.

Besides religious purposes the building complex was aimed to have a cultural, charity, community and burial functions, as well. The first design by Imre Makovecz was turned down by building authorities. A few years later, in 1994, plans by Imre Koppányi were approved and construction began. However, for lack of financial resources the church remained incomplete. In 2002 the incomplete church was dedicated by Primate László Paskai.

More than 10 years of hiatus construction works restarted in 2013 under the management of Father dr. László Lipp.

Father László became the primary organizer of the catholic community in Gazdagrét in 1990. He was a multifunctional figure of the project: the visionary, the site manager and sometimes the truck driver too. It was also him who made frescos of the church and flag illustrations.

Father László had a reputation for his innovations. He was not only a great fan of football but he played it also. He played a lot with local kids and he organized and led the team of priests. He purchased real estates in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county to facilitate summer camps for children. It was himself who drove the bus taking the campers there. He organized airborne weddings and funerals, as well as the military vicariate. He broadcasted his masses through his website and his Sunday Messages could be listened at a premium-rate phone number thereby donating the church constructions. Father László also gained fame through his appearances on tv and radio. He was even featured in some episodes in a popular soap opera on the life of the residential area entitled “Neighbors” and he even had his own television program. Dedicating an internet news portal in 2000 also contributed to his “media priest” image. His fame reached Hungarian ethnic minorities abroad, as well.

Father László passed away after a long illness in 2009 at the age of 62 but his figure will always remain closely associated with the church of Gazdagrét. After his death Father Dr. Miklós Károly Szederkényi took over his work.

The design of the church is characterized by arched walls, irregular floor plan, slanted ceiling and split level interior. The reinforced concrete structure is covered by steel and wooden elements. The distinctive tower is covered by glass sheets utilizing solar energy. The crystal tower with angels on the top is meant to symbolize light and love. As planned the church has dedicated areas for charity, cultural and burial functions, however, its largest and central area are the nave and the sanctuary.

The baptizing chapel of the church is decorated with a triptych altarpiece by textile artist Indira Máder entitled “Water of Life”. The mosaics made in Rome by Father Marko Rupnik and his group of 20 artists complemented the decoration of the main altar in 2016. The mosaics display Jesus Christ with the Guardian Angels and children, Virgin Mary and John the Baptizer. As the leader of the church, Father Károly Szederkényi Károly says the mosaics contribute to make the church a kind of pilgrimage place.

The remodeled church was dedicated by Cardinal Péter Erdő on October 1, 2016. As the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels is observed on October 2, the two ceremonies are closely related thus making the first two days of October the greatest feast for the local parish.

The church is open for pilgrims and host to cultural events, such as literary evenings, worship concerts. In 2015, the online Apostle TV was launched that broadcasts holy masses from the church.

Further information at:

www.szentangyalok.hu

www.apostoltv.hu