The Bethlen Home Messenger, The Messenger, 2003 (1-5. szám)
2003-12-01 / 5. szám
Säctüritp Jltgíjltgíjtő Look Back with love “Look Back with Love” is the continuing essay written by Ligonier Gardens’ resident, Julianna DeTilla. The following is the sixth installment of Julianna’s essay: After the tragic death of Rev. Ferenczy, The First Hungarian Reformed Church had to appeal to the Mother Church in Hungary for another minister. A Rev. Paul Konyha was sent. The congregation was in the midst of a great hope of building a bigger church. Rev. Konyha had a fund going, so did Mr. Hornyak, who was the Chief Elder at that time. These facts are lifted from the writings of Rev. Alexander Kalassay, who wrote a very careful and concise record of every penny, every measurement, every contractor and every architect who had a hand in building the new church in the period of three years. Rev. Konyha stayed only five years and went back to Hungary taking his building fund with him. This time, the congregation didn’t ask Hungary for another minister. They asked Rev. Alexander Kalassay, who by that time was the pastor of a pledging congregation in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to come and serve as a pastor. He came and saved the congregation from a morass of confusion and heartache. He organized and laid out a strict set of rules for the operation, maintenance, and caring for the church property, rules for the officers of the church, their obligations, their duties, and above all their moral characters. The rules and regulations he suggested to the congregational meeting were received by them with relieved enthusiasm. The Chief Elder had to be a man of property and of unimpeachable character, since he would be the leader and ambassador of the church and congregation. Two vice-elders were elected to help him in his duties. The Secretary had to be articulate and have good penmanship. The records of the first congregation had to be preserved for future generations. The treasurer had to be bonded by a reputable bonding company, and also overseen by a reliable member of the congregation called an Elenor (Comptroller). The dear people of the congregation were mostly humble, plain people from small villages. The only intellectuals who came to America were the clergy, sent by the Hungarian Mother Church to tend the spiritual needs of their brethren in a foreign land, and a few teachers that we know of, like Mr. Emory Király, Mr. Albert Hady and Mr. Joseph Veres. Mr. Király taught at the West Side Church in Cleveland and Mr. Hady taught for a while in the First Church of Pittsburgh, then went on to be an ordained minister. Mr. Veres’ wife was a marvelous cook, so they went to Detroit and opened a restaurant. It was really the good dedicated clergy who kept the immigrants organized and helped them to become good citizens of their adopted country. They also were instrumental in teaching the first born and second born generation of children of the immigrants the music and culture and faith of their parents. We owe them a lot. ÎBeepeôt á>pmpatí)p Our staff extends their deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the following former residents of Ligonier Gardens and The Bethlen Home. “Sharing in your sorrow and wishing you strength ahead.” We will all miss those who have passed: Ligonier Gardens Nade Angus Elizabeth Strong Marjorie Wahlrobe George Miller Sara Campbell Edna Pritts Dale Barnhart The Bethlen Home Robert Nicely Ruth Johnson Mary Gilbert Dorothy Hoffer Elda Smith Mabel Patrick Michael Chereka Betty Tusay Vivian Webber Bob Miller Marie Baient Oleta Byers Julia Frichtel Ruth Charles Mary Fitchko Helena Hudak Florence Donath Mary Armor Leroy Ansel Lois Nicely Leroy Baldwin Clara Donahue
