Neo-Gothic Church Designs by Antal Hofhauser

Roman Catholic Churches in Bátaszék, Budapest and Békéscsaba

Abstract

Antal Hofhauser was a descendant of an old stonemason family in Buda. Sacral architecture played an important role in lifework. There is good reason to suppose that his work and position as a teacher played a very important role, increased his authority and the appearance of his entries was far more beautiful than that of other entries. Teaching certain subjects for long decades enabled him to vary the already existing solutions easily. His authority and his good reputation from previous principals may have helped him on several occasions, that he was able to win assignments from the second rank, or a supervisor position. Based on his studies in Vienna and his interest in urban architecture, he always adapted his churches to the current situation and possibilities. Not too inventively, but fulfilling the principals requirements, he varied and vested the fundamental towered, longitudinal, Latin-cross-shaped, which had one or three naves, a polygon-closed sanctuary and was canonised from the Middle Ages, with well-known elements chosen from medieval styles. This layout, and similar constructions, like fundations can also be observed in the case of Bátaszék and Békéscsaba. Based on the cover he used in general, his style could be called "Backsteingotik" (Brick Gothic), however, the forms he used and the building materials he replaces evoke the architecture of French territories instead.