Bethlen Naptár, 1952 (Ligonier)
Church digest for our second and third generations
198 BETHLEN NAPTÁR COLUMBUS, OHIO is one of our oldest congregations which became self-supporting last year under the pastorate of the Rev. Nicholas Szüle (Sewell). A new organ was installed in memory of the heroes of World War II. The Rev. Sewell resigned his position, the congregation then electing the Rev. Joseph Marsalko to fill his place. DAYTON, OHIO elected a new pastor last year: the Rev. Andrew Hamza, after the resignation of the Rev. Andor Harsanyi. His installation took place in September, 1951. With their new pastor at the helm, the Daytonians are looking forward to renewed church life. The young folks of the congregation send Christmas gifts to the children of the Bethlen Home annually above and beyond the regular church support. DETROIT, MICH. Under the able leadership of the Rev. Zoltán S. Vajda, this congregation accomplished much in the past ten years. The church was remodeled and a new $16,000.00 organ was installed on the 45th anniversary of the church. In memory of their World War II heroes, three church bells, the Liberty Bells, were installed and dedicated. The congregation recently honored the pastor on his 15th anniversary of his ministry and his 10th year in Detroit. FAIRPORT HARBOR, O. celebrated its 40th anniversary last year for which event the Rev. Béla Bacsó published an anniversary album. This is a well organized, progressive congregation, led by a loyal and ambitious pastor. The Rev. Bacsó lays special stress on Sunday School and youth work. TOLEDO, O. is one of our most efficiently organized congregations, whose pastor is the Rev. Charles Papp. Our Toledo church does outstanding work in Sunday School, missions, and youth groups. The consistory is made up largely of second generation Americans who are active workers for the Kingdom. The children of the Sunday School always remember the Bethlen Home children at Christmas time and other occasions also. CHICAGO, ILL., South Side. In the Middle West, this church group has one of the largest membership. The church building is of older architecture, but is imposing and well preserved. The pastor is the Rev. Arpad George, under whose leadership the congregation is making plans for a new church school and recreation building. CHICAGO, ILL. West Side is our smaller church in this great metropolis, working effectively among our Hungarian people. The Rev. Dezső Parragh is pastor, who is also instructor at Elmhurst College and head of the Hungarian Department.
