Bethlen Almanac 1997 (Ligonier)

Kálvin Egyházkerület

church’s Registry for that period. There were 145 funerals between 1915 and 1959 - a 44 year period, and 149 between 1960 and 1995 - a 35 year period.

Rev. László Kovács, Pastor * Rev. László Kovács retired in November 1997.

INDIANA HARBOR, IN

Pastor: Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig

Chief Elder: Margaret Augustine

Indiana Harbor First Hungarian Evangelical and Reformed Church, UCC East Chicago, Indiana

Church Officers: Chief Elder: Margaret Augustine; Assistant Chief Elder: Margaret Varga; Secretary: Marge Waupsch; Treasurer: Frank Csömör.

The Indiana Harbor First Hungarian Evangelical and Reformed Church was first conceived on June 28, 1925 in Catherine House in Indiana Harbor. Shortly thereafter, on July 5 the first Hungarian worship service was held, and on August 23, the first Communion service celebrated. Two years later, in 1927, land was purchased for the building of the church, as the first confirmation class was accepted into membership in the church. Meeting at Saint Alban Episcopal Church, the monthly $30.00 rent seemed high.

But then came the Depression, things seemed to get worse. The monthly rent at St. Alban’s dropped from $30.00 to $23.00, membership dues dropped from $12.00 yearly to $9.00 per family (from $6.00 to $5.00 for single members), and by 1932 the Depression threatened the existence of every organization, business, family and church. To compound the problems of the Hungarians in the Chicago area, one of the eastern churches tried to steal away the area ministers, so that the South Side, the Whiting and the Indiana Harbor congregations had to form a confederation of churches for their own defense. Perhaps this helped the Indiana Harbor Reformed community make their boldest decision.

On April 11, 1932, at the Classis meeting of the Magyar Synod, the Indiana Harbor delegation announced it was planning to build a sanctuary. Records show that no one took the Indiana Harbor delegates seriously. After all, this was the worst financial situation the country had been in. Unemployment at over 20%! But the Hungarians in Indiana Harbor were determined. If men were unemployed, the church would feed them,

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