Dénes Dienes: History of the Reformed Church Collég in Sárospatak (Sárospatak, 2013)
János Ugrai: „THE PERIOD OF NATIONAL ADVANCEMENT” 1777-1849 - Organizational changes - adumbration of episcopal power
87 that the countless social aspects and stakeholders of the area mostly slowed the development of central church administration. This is furthermore aptly illustrated by the organizational and administrative structure of the Sárospatak Reformed Church College. At this point in time the College still had a clerical and a lay director. The ultimate directorship was at the highest level and consisted of the superintendent (clerical director of the church district or superintendency), the chief lay officer and the general assembly of the church district. The district assembly gathered regularly, three or four times a year, and usually made decisions on long-term issues and in all important personal, material and financial matters. The superintendent, the head of the church district, had to be notified of all matters, and although he did not exercise direct power the way a Catholic bishop did - given that the administrative structure of the Reformed church was traditionally based on broad and collective self-government -, it was very possible for him to initiate or direct matters in questions of even great import, this most often depending on his personal influence, authority and determination. In matters requiring a more comprehensive and detailed examination, or in cases which were urgent or exceeded local resources, the superintendent committee could be charged (deputatio) with the task. The introduction of reforms in the curriculum, for example, were repeatedly handled by such bodies. Regular committees administered the investment of the College’s funds and were responsible for the appointment of student teachers and also for coordinating the year-end report of the highest student officer, the senior. Special deputations were appointed by order in cases of serious abuse, conflict or public scandal. From 1791 onwards, the senior, professors of the College and primariuses (alumni officer) could also join the church delegates (deans, chief lay officers of their ^ typical hilly area proper church county, assistant lay officers). with vineyards The chief lay officer’s primary contribution to the College was at the level of its financial operation and, at best, he would become the key figure responsible for the entire economic mechanism and even the quality of work of the school. Among the obligations inherently linked to the office held by the always prosperous, influential and dedicated lord, the most basic ones included attracting new supporters, raising funds for modifications requiring larger investment (e.g. construction, establishing a new department, employing teachers) and representing the institution at secular forums. The directors of the school would turn to the chief lay officer virtually daily in seeking his assistance in larger or smaller
