The Eighth Tribe, 1975 (2. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1975-07-01 / 7. szám
Page Six THE EIGHTH TRIBE July, 1975 THE MULTIPLE TASKS OF HUNGARIAN CHURCHES IN AMERICA There are over 200 Hungarian-American churches in the U.S.A. For decades they were the centers of religious, social and cultural activities. Hungarian ministers and priests were also more than preachers and educators. They helped the immigrants by finding jobs, filling out applications and translating documents, etc. Hungarian churches and their pastors served as preservers of a national identity. For many immigrants, who intended to return to the motherland, the church was a second home. Through the churches the Hungarians established the type of community life they had in Hungary. Auditoriums for dramatic activities, suppers, and dances were built by most of the Hungarian congregations. Immigrants before World War I had only a few years of formal education and hardly any professional skill. Most of them found jobs in coal mines, or in factories as laborers. Many of them never learned English. These early immigrants set the pattern in which the church became both a place of worship and a center of nationalistic activities. The displaced persons of World War II and the refugees of 1956 had more education and professional skills than the earlier immigrant groups but their newly formed political and social organizations could not seriously challenge the leading role of churches and ministers. Americanization had a much greater effect on the Hungarian churches than all the Hungarians who immigrated here after World War II. To keep the churches financially secure non- Hungarians were encouraged to join the Hungarian churches. This process was especially strong in the Roman Catholic and Jewish organizations. Churches which started English services early enough were able to keep their young people. But churches remaining too nationalistic often could not meet the needs of the English speaking young people and became the last remnants of a fading nationalistic dream. It should be noted that neither the Roman Catholic priest, nor the Protestant minister can do a meaningful Hungarian mission without the support of the local Hungarians. It should be also noted that political and social organizations and sport clubs come and go by the hundreds but the incorporated churches of immigrants remain and continue their religious and nationalistic work according to the local needs. In the power structure of Hungarian life in America the churches are still the bulwarks of the Hungarian heritage. The church has been and still is at the top of the power structure holding Hungarian activities. One of the reasons is that religion was common to all immigrant Hungarians and it became one of the strongest unifying forces outside of Hungary. The tragedy of the Trianon Peace Treaty has also helped to unite the immigrant Hungarians. In the former territories of the Magyars, now held by Czechoslovakia, Russia, Romania, Yugoslavia and Austria the churches were the main vehicles in the preservation of Hungarian life. This is also true in the U.S.A. The churches are still the major gathering places for the social, educational and cultural activities of Hungarians. Thus Hungarians wishing to keep their identity can do this most effectively by belonging to Hungarian churches of their own faith. Paul Kantor lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll The Immigration History Research Center will again offer grants-in-aid and research assistantships during 1976-1977. Grants-in-aid up to S3-,000 for travel and living expenses are available to doctoral candidates, recent Ph.D.’s and established scholars. Deadline for 1976 applications is November 15, 1975. Research assistantships for graduate students enrolled at the University of Minnesota and engaged in studies relating to American immigration and ethnic history are available for the academic year 1976-1977. Candidates should be proficient in one or more languages of Eastern, Central or Southern Europe, or the Middle East. Deadline for 1976-1977 applications is February 15, 1976. For more information, please contact the Immigration History Research Center, 826 Berry Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55114.
