Bethlen Évkönyv, 1993-1996 (Ligonier)

Dr. Vitéz Ferenc, püspök: A Kálvin Egyházkerület

NORRIDGE, IL

Pastor: Dr. Desmond Parragh

The Norridge United Church of Christ founded in 1914, celebrated its 80th anniversary on November 5, 1994. A church building was purchased in 1914 at 4327 W. Carroll Avenue, in Chicago, Illinois, where worship services were held until 1960, at which time property was obtained on the Northwest side of Chicago. The church formerly known as “West Side-i Magyar Evangélikus és Református Egyház” (West Side Hungarian Evangelical and Reformed Church) was changed to Norridge United Church of Christ. This was an appropriate change since the location of the church is at 8260 W. Foster Avenue, Norridge, IL.

The 80th anniversary was held in a combined service in our sanctuary at 11 o’clock Sunday morning. The Hungarian sermon was delivered by the Rev. Kalman Csia, and the English sermon was preached by the Rev. Mária Bérces, a visiting scholar from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. A choral anthem by Kupferschmidt was sung by the choir under the direction of Mrs. Grace Parragh, the organist and choir master of the church. The benediction was pronounced by the pastor the Rt. Rev. Dr. Desmond D. Parragh.

Following the service a banquet was held at the Itasca Country Club. The Master of Ceremonies was excellently handled by the pastor of the Grace Reformed Church of Gary, IN., the Rev. László Kovács, Professor Emeritus. The church’s pastor Dr. Parragh spoke about the 80 year history of the church, giving praise to those members who sustained and committed themselves to the 80 years of existence of our work. He also spoke about the difficulties we are facing in the future and asked for continued prayers of our members.

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