On June 30, 1990, Bishop Dr. Béla Harmati consecrated the Lutheran church in Oulu Park. The Oulu Finnish sister congregation was represented by Provost Arvi Seppänen, the deputy bishop.
The small scattered congregation did not have a church before, only a community room. However, during the summer season, the number of people seeking the tranquility of the church grew to such an extent alongside vacationers that the construction of a church became necessary. Led by Pastor Márton Józsa, the local congregation undertook the task of building the "Ship of Christ." The organizational work began in June 1985, shortly after the City Council offered a plot for the construction of the church. The plans for the church and the parsonage were designed by Imre Makovecz, a recipient of the Kossuth Prize in architecture.
The ceremonial laying of the foundation stone took place on August 15, 1987. Pastor and poet Imre Jakus wrote a poem for this occasion. The construction lasted until the summer of 1990, and in November 1988, the construction of the parsonage began. The solemn dedication of the church and the parsonage, which harmonized in style, took place on June 27, 1992. Bishop Dr. Béla Harmati performed the consecration service.
The realization of the plans required the sacrifice of many, but the Finnish Lutherans contributed the most. The congregation of Oulu Cathedral, in particular, provided significant financial assistance and sent beautiful wood materials for the construction. They also made the pews and the altar furnishing. The statue above the altar, the Risen Christ, is the work of László Péterfy, and the interior design was done by Gábor Mezei, an interior designer. Zoltán Ferenczy served as a consultant for the interior of the church. The bell was brought from Szarvas, and the organ was completed in 2004 with the assistance of the Hungarian Lutheran Church; its builder was Aquincum Orgaonagyár Budapest.
The cross on the church signifies that Jesus died for our sins, while the statue above the altar represents His resurrection for our justification. The tree of life on the tower symbolizes life that triumphs over death.
The altar of the 150-seat church traditionally faces east. The northern gate is called the Soumi Gate, in memory of the love of the Finnish brethren, and the western gate is called the German Gate.
The unconventional story of the construction of the church and parsonage is detailed in the book "Hogy néki szent házat építs" (To Build Him a Sacred House) by Bishop Tamás Fabiny, a former pastor in Siófok.
