Calvin Synod Herald, 1994 (94. évfolyam, 2-6. szám)
1994-03-01 / 2. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD REFOMÁTÜSOK LAPJA- 5 -In the City of Racine, in the State of Wisconsin: The Presbyterian Church had a great Sesquicentennial with a very special Hungarian flavor on January 16 The Racine, Wl church had its beginning as the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Racine, Wisconsin. The church was formed by approximately 50 members. These members were immigrants from Hungary who came here during the great economic immigration. In America the two institutions, the village church and the village, were merged. The church was the place of worship where members participated in their native language. The basement of the church was used as a cultural and social center where members and friends could participate in their native language and meet their own kind and could relate their problems to persons who felt like them, spoke like them and faced similar problems. Thus the church helped perpetuate some of the patriotic events. The First Hungarian Church, according to its official seal, was founded January 1,1926, and was named First Hungarian Reformed Church. The original listing of members lists 59 people. On March 20, 1927, Rev. Boros Jeno and Mr. Papp Sándor, President, conducted a founders' meeting with 40 members present, and it was at this meeting that the congregation voted to officially form the church. In April, 1927, it was decided to purchase a church building, which was located on the corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Albert Street. The building was purchased for the sum of $13,500. The mortgage was finally burned in October of 1944. Church services were originally conducted in Hungarian, strictly adhering to the Calvinistic traditions. The name of the church changed several times. It was known as: First Hungarian Reformed Church Hungarian Evangelical & Reformed Church Messiah Evangelical & Reformed Church take their seats in the front pews. A Hungarian service is marked by total silence before the prelude and although this may be difficult for us with so many children, we will limit other distractions as much as possible. The communion service will be done as in a Hungarian service. A Sesquicentennial moment: as fewer children of members married spouses who did not understand Hungarian, services were then conducted in both English and Hungarian. Eventually, two services were conducted, on in Hungarian and one in English. Ultimately, the Hungarian was discontinued. Sunday School classes wereformed and taught by Ann Bogyos Gayhart and assisted by other members. In the early days of the church, Hungarian language classes were helpful. The primary language in many of the homes was Hungarian, and children spoke Hungarian and thus were taught to read and write in Hungarian." For the entire month of January, as part of our Sesquicentennial Celebration, we celebrated the Hungarian contribution to the life and ministry of the Covenant. As an added delight, the Reverend Karl Ludwig, a Hungarian Reformed pastor from Indiana, joined in to officiate at the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The liturgy for communion was translated from "The Agenda", an minister's manual printed in Hungary around the turn of the century. □ □□ Providence United Church of Christ The change of names was due to various mergers. The following ministers served the church: Boros Jenő, Radacsy Sándor, Hanko Gyula, Balint Lajos, DeDobay Raymond, Ziros Joseph, Benko Stephen, Carey Leslie, DeDobay Raymond, Olms Carroll On April 8, 1973, it was decided that Providence Church would merge with the Church of the Covenant. The Service of Union for the two churches was conducted by the Presbystery of Milwaukee, of the United Presbyterian Church in the USA, on May 20, 1973. On Sunday, January 16,1994, the "Church of the Covenant" celebrated its sesquicentennial, with special Hungarian aroma. Words from the days' Bulletin: "This morning, we are recreating a worship service as it might be held in a Hungarian church to remind us of the Hungarian influence in the Church of the Covenant. The men and boys will sit on the left side of the church and the women and girls on the right side. Women may cover their heads if they like. The members of the session will process in with the ministers and Ofuitefaeflfw (Scrotum
