Fából és deszkából. A miskolci Deszkatemplom (Miskolc, 1999)

A Deszkatemplom története (összegzés angolul)

During the 18 century the Reformed church continued to develop despite the Counter Reformation, and its school became, next to the famous Sárospatak Reformed College, the best educational institution of region. The students, supported and given scholarships by the presbytery, studied in the universities around Europe, and on their return home assisted in the modernisation of the city. One of the most capable patrons, who was among those who did the most for the city of the 18

th century was the Reformed curator István Szepessy Négyesi. The growing importance of the city is demonstrated by the formation of the youngest of the Reformed church districts in 1735. This became the centre of Tiszáninnen, whose bishops were more and more frequently elected from Miskolc ministers. It can be said that by the 19

th century Miskolc had taken a leading role in the Reformed Church in Northeastern Hungary, second only to Sárospatak. The Reform era and 1848 War of Independence gave new meaning to church life. The formation of a nation and the question of independence came to the foreground, ideals of which the Reformed people of Miskolc became enthusiastic supporters. The leadership of the national liberals came from rural religious nobility, thus within the church as well national liberal ideas became more and more prominent. This also affected church life in Miskolc for a span of almost a hundred years, with the most important results in the areas of education and the social sphere. An important role was played in the life of the Miskolc church by those educated nobles who were given a station in the city, county or national public arena. Several curators were from the Vay family, for example Count Ábrahám Vay, who was head curator from 1819, and László Palóczy, who, as member of parliament fought for the recognition of protestant denominations. The suppression of the 1848-1849 Revolution and War of Independence resulted in disillusionment and disappointment, bringing the previous dynamic growth to a halt. During the decades following the compromise of 1867, however, the city developed significantly. This had a positive effect on the Reformed Church, particularly in educational matters. The development of secondary education became a part of the city development programme. In 1898, the new school building was constructed. The construction was given state support, but the city, Borsod county, and the Re-