Calvin Synod Herald, 1986 (86. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1986-06-01 / 3. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD — 6 — REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA COLUMBUS ANNIVERSARY The Hungarian Reformed Church of Columbus, Ohio was organized as the Hungarian Protestant Church on January 21, 1906 under the leadership of the Rev. Joseph Kardos, who worked in Columbus in behalf of the Presbyterian Church of the USA. It was their Mission Board which helped to build the sanctuary. The cornerstone dedication ceremony was held on August 12, 1906, and the building was completed on July 4,1907. It was dedicated a few weeks later on July 28th. The first church had 12 members in the Consistory and 52 supporting members who worshipped in Hungarian only. Not until 1940 did English services begin under the leadership of the Rev. Stephen Sziarto. The church became self-supporting on March 10, 1909, and grew so rapidly that in 1912 there was a need for an Hungarian School and Sunday School. The summer Hungarian Schools were held at the Reeb Avenue Elementary School. In 1916 under the leadership of the Rev. Eugene Vecsey there was a move to buy the church building from the Presbyterian Church and create an independent Hungarian Reformed Church. When the purchase of the building was denied by the Presbyterian Board, the Congregation seceded and built a House of Prayer on Reeb Avenue. Later, by an offer of the Presbyterian Board our Congregation regained possession of the present church building in an even exchange for the House of Prayer. In 1922 the Congregation withdrew from the Presbyterian Church and decided to join the Reformed Churches of the USA. At this time the Hungarian Reformed Sick Benefit Society donated a lot next to the church for the building of the parsonage, which was dedicated on November 28, 1926. During the 80 year history the Columbus Congregation was known by several names: Magyar Protestant Church, Hungarian Reformed Church. Hungarian Evangelical and Reformed Church, Hungarian Reformed United Church of Christ. Presently the name “Hungarian Reformed Church” is used, by which the Congregation was known the longest. The biggest church bell is 800 lbs. They were not rung for a long time because of the weakened condition of the supporting timbers. A 500 lb. bell was also brought from the Drakes-Congo Hungarian Church, which was dissolved as the residents of this small mining community moved away in search of jobs. Among the church organizations the oldest one is the Lorantffy Guild which was organized 65 years ago, on October 16, 1921. The Women’s Guild, originally called the Needle and Thread Guild was founded in 1940. The church yard was enlarged during this time when the Needle and Thread Guild helped financially to close the alley that separated us from the neighbors. Now the church has full use of the former alley of the City. The Churchmen’s Brotherhood and the Youth Fellowship were organized in 1952, and the Hungarian Cultural Association in 1975. The Rev. Paul Kantor is the 16th pastor to serve the Congregation. Among the pastors the following stayed for about ten years or longer: Dr. Alexander Csutoros, Rev. Stephen Sziarto, Rev. Joseph Marsalko and Rev. Zoltán Szabó. The average stay of all the pastors was five years. In 1976 The Mary Santo Memorial Scholarship was established, and since that time dozens of young people with Hungarian background received scholarships to Ohio State University. The original church building had a sanctuary upstairs, a fellowship hall and a very small kitchen downstairs. In 1954, under the leadership of the Rev. Joseph Marsalko, and Alex Santo, then chief elder, an educational building was dedicated on May 9th. During the 80 years history of the Columbus Hungarian Reformed Church there were 21 chief elders serving the Congregation. Presently, for the first time, the church has a woman chief elder, Irma Y. Carnevale. In 1985 Alex J. Mészáros Sr. was elected to serve as honorary chief elder. In eight decades there were many dedicated people who made it possible for the Columbus church to celebrate this anniversary. The congregation had many victories and on occasions defeats, but at all times the members sensed that the Lord was on their side. The congregation celebrated its 80th anniversary on June 8th. The Rev. Stephen Sziarto, former pastor of the Columbus church, was the guest speaker. Irma Carnevale, chief elder, opened the anniversary service with the call to worship; a just confirmed member of the church, Eszter Gozon, read the Bible in Hungarian; Debbie Vecchiarelli did the English Scripture reading; Steve Rezes was in charge of the responsive reading and Louis Peterfy offered an anniversary prayer. Rev. Paul Kantor also offered a special prayer in which he thanked God not only for 80 years of his present congregation, but also for 25 years that he served in the Christian ministry. The 1 p.m. anniversary banquet was held in the church’s fellowship hall, in which the number of guests had to be limited to 175. That was exactly the number of tickets that were sold. Debbie Vecchiarelli and Steve Rezes were in charge of the program during which the Choir sang “No Man Is An Island,” under the leadership of Ellen Kallós. “God Bless America” was sung by the guests, after which the Youth Ensemble sang “Let There Be Peace On Earth.” The history of the church was presented by Alex Santo, and the food that included soup “csiga leves,” stuffed cabbage, breaded chicken was prepared by the ladies of the Women’s Guild and Lorantffy Guild. Members of the Brotherhood and Youth Fellowship also helped with the serving and cleanup. Pastor Kantor served as the master of ceremonies. The 80th anniversary of the Columbus church was a modest family celebration of thanksgiving without long speeches. Those present truly experienced the presence of unity and j oy as the Lord’s Supper and the jubilee was shared in an atmosphere of Christian fellowship and love. Norwalk Installation On June 15th, during a bilingual worship service the Rev. Eugene Szabó was installed as the seventh pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church of South Norwalk, Connecticut. A friend of Rev. Szabó, the Rev. Dr. Ervin Betts, a clinical psychologist and ordained Baptist minister offered the call to worship and invocation. He also read the Scriptures in English. The Rev. Andrew Harto, who had been the pastor of the Norwalk Church from 1947 to 1959 gave the English sermon, “Look to Your Marching Orders.” Rev. Harto is now retired and lives in North Carolina. The Hungarian Bible reading was done by Sara Kovats, who is a member of the Norwalk church and lay minister of the Calvin Synod. Rev. Imre Bertalan, president of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America delivered the sermon in Hungarian. His topic was, “Love Your Church.” Joseph Lucskay served as organist. The choir composed of William Hevesy, Joan Hutkai, Steve Kalabany, Irene Kurimai, Judy Kucsera and Mary Kucsera sang in Hungarian, “Lift Up Your Gates.” The anthem had been translated into Hungarian by Rev. Harto while he was at Norwalk. The formal installation was conducted by Rev. Harto at the request of Bishop Zoltán Király, who was attending at that time an ordination and installation service in Flint, MI. Frank Dudás, president of the Consistory and Calvin Synod Presbyter assisted in the service. Following the installation service relatives, friends and members of the Norwalk Hungarian Reformed Church met for dinner at the local Holiday Inn.
