Debrecen4U April 7, 2026

A Gift from Paderborn Enriches the Community of the Church of the Incarnation

In a ceremonial setting, a baptismal font gifted from Paderborn was presented at the Church of the Incarnation in Debrecen.

This special donation represents not only ecclesiastical and artistic value, but also expresses the living, personal, and community‑building strength of the more than thirty‑year sister‑city relationship between Debrecen and Paderborn.

The community of the Church of the Incarnation has gained a new and remarkable treasure: the baptismal font that arrived from the Lutheran congregation of Paderborn was formally handed over. The church in Paderborn was inaugurated in 1987 and was dissolved last year. Thomas Keikutt, who served there as the organist for 43 years, decided together with his wife to offer the baptismal font to Debrecen.

Margit Keikutt, President of the German–Hungarian Friendship Society of Paderborn, explained that the baptismal font, created by Josef Rikus, was originally made for the Lutheran congregation in Paderborn, and it brings them great joy that it will now serve the community of the Church of the Incarnation. She emphasized that transporting the nearly 150‑kilogram artwork to Debrecen was no simple task, and expressed special thanks to the Paderborn‑based Combo No. 5 band for their assistance, as well as to the Debrecen Mayor’s Office and parish priest János Bákonyi for their preparations and warm reception. She added that they hope the work of the Paderborn artist will stand as a sign of the blessing power of the Christian faith and proclaim the glory of God.

In his speech, Deputy Mayor Lajos Barcsa highlighted that the handover of the baptismal font is far more than the reception of a physical gift. According to him, this piece will bear witness to the joy of families and will become one of the most beautiful symbols of the community‑shaping power of faith. He stressed how moving it is that this time the gift came not from institutions, but from people to people. The decades‑long service of Margit and Thomas Keikutt, and their decision to offer this valuable donation to Debrecen, clearly shows that the sister‑city relationship lives not only in documents but in human hearts. The deputy mayor also recalled that the friendship between Debrecen and Paderborn has lasted for more than thirty years, and moments like this truly demonstrate that the relationship remains alive and meaningful today.

Parish priest János Bákonyi expressed his joy that the parish community has been enriched with a new baptismal font. He emphasized that together with the Paschal candle, the font carries the deepest message of the Christian faith, for those who are reborn through baptism receive God’s mercy and become members of the Church. He then blessed both the Paschal candle and the baptismal font.

The significance of the festive occasion was further enhanced by the participation of the Combo No. 5 band at the Easter Mass.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu