The origin of modern Baptists in Hungary, as in so much of continental Europe, begins in Hamburg, Germany.  Johann Onken came to know Christ as Savior as a result of contact with Christians in Great Britain where he was converted in 1820.  Returning to his native country, he came to Baptist convictions through his study of the Bible.  Correspondence with a Baptist educator from America named Barnas Sears led to Oncken’s baptism in the Elbe River in Hamburg in 1834.

A fire destroyed Hamburg in 1842 and artisans flocked to the city from all over Europe, including Hungary.  Some of these Hungarian artisans were ethnic Germans who were saved and baptized as a result of contact with Oncken.  After the city was rebuilt, they returned to Budapest and Pecs in 1846 and began meeting together for worship in those cities.

Hungary revolted against the Austrian Hapsburg rulers in 1848-49.  The revolution failed, and the social and political chaos that followed ended these early attempts to plant Baptist churches.  A quarter century would pass before Baptist would make a new beginning with Oncken again playing an important role.

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