Bethlen Almanac 1999 (Ligonier)

Keleti Egyházmegye - Eastern Classis

The Magyar Reformed Church of Perth Amboy was established in 1903, and in 1999 we celebrated our 96th anniversary. The church has served the spiritual needs of the changing congregation through the last 26 years by the Rev. Stefan M. Torok, pastor. The day to day business of the congregation is handled by a 21 member Church Council. The officers of the Church Council are as follows: Chief Elder, Mr. Kim Latkovich, Vice President, Mr. Robert Zambo, Secretary, Mrs. Priscilla Jenkins, Treasurer, Mr. Andrew C. Lovász.

Active church organizations are:

The Women’s Guild, established in 1947 under the direction of the late pastor, the Rev. Dr. Charles Vincze and his wife, Helen.

The Church Choir, which sings during the English Service and at special church fellowships is directed by Mrs. Lillian Banyacski, who in 1999 celebrated her 50th anniversary as Church organist. Special recognition was given to her at our Annual Thanksgiving Banquet, held on November 21,1999.

The Sunday School is flourishing with about 30 children under the direction of Mrs. Laura Egry-Dinicola and Miss Lisa Helyes.

The Youth Fellowship under the direction of Miss Diana Bacho, is always struggling to become a vital factor in the generational change.

The Senior Circle, encompassing older members of the church, has their monthly bus trip under the direction of Mrs. Judith Vincze- Quinn.

The congregation holds regular worship services on Sunday morning in English at 9.00 a.m., and Hungarian at 10.30 a.m. Combined worship services are held only a few times a year. Sunday School instruction time is during the English service. To our knowledge, our congregation was among the first to establish English worship services for the new generation in 1939. Holy Communion is observed in accordance with our church traditions on the first Sunday of every month or during the holidays. All our church gatherings and meetings are held in English, other than the Hungarian worship service, in the light of serving a congregation where 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation members only speak this language, even though in their hearts and traditions they possess a Hungarian background.

The congregation was fortunate to establish a 21st century committee a few years ago, to plan its future well into the next century. General chairperson is Mrs. Pamela Lovász.

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