Bethlen Almanac 1997 (Ligonier)

Kálvin Egyházkerület

the new sanctuary was dedicated beginning with the processional hymn, the 84th Psalm. In seven months the “impossible” had been achieved against all odds, in the face of the Depression, the discouragement of other congregations and the doubts all must have had.

The Ladies decided the parsonage should be built now while the men are working; so they went out and gathered donations so at least the walls and roof could be built before winter set in. This was accomplished with donations from many who had given the first time, and included the Hungarian congregations in Flint and Whiting. The parsonage was officially dedicated July 30, 1933, with the proper celebration of dance and banquet.

What was the total cost of this building? Some $5,200. How? Through faith. Perhaps some would say this is a romantic interpretation of history; hard work was the only basis of success. Surely, hard work was involved, But in a real world, it took FAITH to expect that others, non-church members, would donate their time for this little congregation. It took FAITH to build so far that others would have enough faith in the church to donate the rock for the foundation, or that Inland Steel would donate the beams used in the construction or that we could purchase 10,000 bricks at $2.50 per thousand. It took faith for the Ladies, day in and day out, to make calls at every house, asking for donations. And that the ladies cooked so many thousand meals for their church, was an act of faith, a labor of love. And Faith brings Miracles. In the seven months of work by literally hundreds of volunteers, no one was hurt during the construction.

Of course many other things happened; the garage was added almost immediately, the bell was installed in 1935, the basement paneled in 1938, by 1941 renovations were taking place, a new organ purchased, other items were replaced with new ones, all part of the growth of the local church. By 1943, through the combined efforts of the congregation and the ladies groups, the total debt of the church was erased.

All these things happened because of a powerful faith in God, which could not be denied, a calling this Hungarian community had, for the most part Reformed people from Erdély (Transylvania), the Indiana Harbor Hungarian church also included Unitarians from Erdély and Evangelical Lutherans from Vas megye in (western) Hungary. Yet together they created something which was possible because of their common gratitude to the Lord God. And this was not the end, only the beginning.

Since that time the Indiana Harbor congregation has served this city and this county proudly, its sons and daughters being found in many areas of public and private service of the community, And the backbone of this congregation, like many others but perhaps more than most, has always

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