Bethlen Naptár, 1981 (Ligonier)

Egyesült Államok - Kálvin Egyházkerület

78

BETHLEN NAPTÁR

1981

évek nem fognak bennünket tönkretenni — megtartatunk és növekedni fogunk megújuló hittel szép, új templomunkban, amiben őrizzük az örökséget és majd átadjuk az utánunk jövőknek.

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COLUMBUS, OHIO — Pastor: Rev. Stephen L. Nagy

As we approach our 75th anniversary of the dedication of our sanctuary, a brief history might be appreciated by those who understand english best. According to records of the first City Directory of Columbus, Ohio, in 1843 when the city population was 7785, the first Hungarian name appears. A man Ory Péter, who was in business on the corner of State and Sixth St. Was a Shoe Maker (not repairman). Not until 1850 are there any additional magyar names listed and, then only seven more in the city directory. By the year 1852, when Louis Kossuth came to Columbus, and addressed the State Senate, Hungarian services were held at the German Evangelical Church on East Livingston Ave. and later at the St. John’s German Evangelical Church on Mound St. (downtown).

The largest settlement of Hungarians took place about 1900. The Columbus Church was officially organized on January 21, 1906. The corner stone was laid in August of that year, and the church building was dedicated by the Hungarians unoffically on July 4, 1907, and offically by the presbytery of the Presbyterian Church on July 28, 1907. Ten years later the Hungarians realized much to their sorrow, that the church did not belong to them but to the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. Although the Presbyterian Church built the church, our people misunderstood perhaps the whole concept, which was from the beginning, to have English services also! On June 18, 1916 the congregation voted to break with the Presbyterian Church and not long after, they became affiliated with the Reformed Church in U.S. When the congregation broke with the Presbyterian Church, they had to leave their loved sanctuary, and for a few years held worship services at their our “House of Prayer” as they refered to it. This building cost them $4150. After no success in establishing a “Neighborhood” church, the Presbyterian Church offered to “Trade” with the Hungarians, and the congregation once more was back at home in the old sanctuary.

The history of this church is a heartbreaking story, but still somehow through the grace of God it has remained. One of the biggest problems later was not having English Services on a regular basis until Rev. J. Marsalko came to Columbus and started them in 1953. This congregation has always been very proud to have had good ministers as Revs. Hankó, Marsalko, and the very much loved Rev. Dr. Elek Csutoros, who with his wife and son have their final resting place here. All told there have been 16 ministers. In the last two years, we have been able to do, the total renovation of the personage, and completely restored the church. We have been able to buy more property to have a parking lot.