Bethlen Naptár, 1952 (Ligonier)

Church digest for our second and third generations

BETHLEN NAPTÁR

197

served by the Rev. Joseph Marsalko, who was since elected to the pastorate of the Columbus, Ohio church.

SPRINGDALE, PA., organized and served by pioneer pastors, has a church building and parsonage of its own. Plans are under way to elect a fulltime pastor with the help of the Board of National Missions. The Ladies Aid visited the Bethlen Home last year and generously contributed to furnish one room in the new wing of the Old People’s Home.

VINTONDALE, PA., a small congregation of miners in Central Penna’s coal mining district, has its own church and parsonage and for the past decade has been served by the Rev. Stephen Papmeder.

WINDBER, PA., is also one of our old mining district congregations. Last year, the church steeple, which had been desstroyed by a storm, was rebuilt. The Rev. Ladislaus Szabó, pastor of the congregation, is a nationally known poet.

ASHTABULA-CONNEAUT, OHIO—ERIE, PA. For many years these three congregations have been jointly served by one pastor. At the present time, they have as their minister the Rev. Andrew Arvay, whose installation took place last year. The new pastor brought new spirit and enthusiasm to his congregations.

CLEVELAND, OHIO. First Church. Located in a city where the largest number of Hungarians of our faith have settled, this congregation is the oldest Reformed Church in the United States. It is not only the largest in membership, but has the largest, most expensive and most imposing church and social building among our Evangelical and Reformed Churches. The new church was built at an expense of $350,000.00 and was dedicated in 1949. The congregation celebrated its sixtieth anniversary last year. Dr. Stephen Szabó, pastor of the church, is now president of the Magyar Synod. Through the benevolent work of a permanently organized committee, this church contributes the greatest amount to the Bethlen Home annually. ($1200.00)

CLEVELAND, OHIO. West Side celebrated its 55th anniversary last year. The Magyar Synod was organized in this church in 1937. The congregation honored the Rev. and Mrs. Daroczy on the occasions of the pastor’s thirtieth year in the ministry and fifteenth year in Cleveland. During his pastorate, the congregation built the Calvin Congregational Hall. With the aid of a permanent Bethlen Home Committee, this church contributes $500 annually to our charitable work.