Fraternity-Testvériség, 1960 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1960-01-01 / 1. szám
FRATERNITY 7 Very soon this department of our work also had to be expanded. A new wing was added in 1951, housing 20 more old people. Now, as a result of the continually growing life’s expectancy and the rapidly increasing number of applicants, we are faced with the problem of erecting a modern building complex costing approximately $400,000. In order to save expenses, our original plan incorporated the three- story frame building which was purchased in 1921. This plan was rejected by the respective department of the State; in fact, the old building was condemned. An entirely new plan had to be prepared in which we complied with the new and stringent building code of the State in the minutest details. This new building, with its landscaped grounds, architecturally and esthetically speaking, will be the most beautiful building in the Valley for some time to come. Ligonier, to put it figuratively, is not only the “heart” of the Hungarian Reformed element in our land; it is not only the seat of the only charitable institution of our people. It is a cultural center as well. The tornadoes of two world wars and the aftermath of the 1956 revolution against Russian communist oppression in Hungary scattered our co-religionists all over the free world. The Reformed Church in its former homeland cannot and may not care for them. Bethlen Home in Ligonier is the only factor which can and does cater to their religious and cultural needs. We supply them with hymnals, Bibles and religious literature. We publish a year book for them both in English and Hungarian. This year book keeps the several scattered groups posted of each other. Also, we carry on a world-wide correspondence with them in four continents and 23 countries. In addition to this, we are in the process of building an archive and museum as well, which will be housed in the proposed new building. This archive and museum has already many invaluable items referring to the life of our people and co-religionists in America. Also, sooner or later, we plan to establish a school for our children here and abroad which, in addition to the American High School education, would offer the training of the Continental Reformed Secondary Schools. The aim of this school would be to retain our co-religionists in the Western cultural tie. The bulk of our people in the United States of America is still mostly employed in heavy industry. Their generosity, which for the past close to 40 years helped us to care of more than 1100 children and 600 old people, is commendable but limited. As a charitable institution, our income is the exact barometric curve of the country’s economic life. The lengthy steel strike especially affected us in a paralyzing manner. But we have hope and faith. We are the people of Calvin, Bethlen, Kossuth, and the depositories of the revolution of 1956. And we are humbly proud of being citizens of the United States of America.
