Itt-Ott, 1994 (27. évfolyam, 1. (123.) szám)

1994 / 1. (123.) szám

The second church was organized by József Urbán.1

In later years the merger of these two churches became necessary because most Hungarians moved their businesses and their residences to Yorkville. As a consequence, the two churches were sold and a new one was built in 1959 on the present site on 82nd Street. At the time of the merger this church was called the Free Magyar Reformed Church, but later changed it to its present name: Hungarian Reformed Church.2

Both churches serve Hungarian congregations, and both pastors follow the same theological tenets of the Barthian New Protestant orthodoxy. However, in the manifestation of their orientation there are some differences.

The basic principles of Barthian theology arestrongly Biblical, based on the fact that the Bible applies equally to the life of the early Christians as well as to contemporary man, and that the Bible needs no interpretation.3

The First Hungarian Reformed Church follows the traditional teaching and theological philosophy of Calvinism, and adheres more to the Barthian teachings than the other church does. Here, the stress is on the “spiritual well-being of the individual.” This is demonstrated by the strict following of Scripture, which, according to the minister, the Rev. Gyula Nagy in 1977, “helps man to become a God-fearing person.” The same philosophy has been continued to date.

Social and cultural functions are also part of the church’s activities, but the main emphasis is on religion and the teaching of the Gospel. Therefore, the First Hungarian Reformed Church is important for its members primarily from the spiritual aspect of religion, rather than from the social point of view.

The congregation of this church is small, but growing. In 1977, the membership was under 100, and in 1991 it was 150. The number of donors in 1977 was approximately 150, today it is 275. In 1977, 65% of the church members were over 70 years of age, now this has changed to approximately 15%. While earlier the average church-going “family” consisted of two persons, it is now

!• Gombos, loc. cit.

2- Ibid.

3- Erwin von Fahlbusch, Religion und Theologie (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck und Ruprecht, 1971), 85.

three to four persons. Today, as in the past, the minister frequently visits the sick and infirm in their homes or in the hospital. Several of these people live alone, have no family or friends, and many appreciate this personal contact. It gives them greater strength in their faith.

In the past most members of this congregation were older. Few social functions were held. These functions included guest-speakers discussing religion, social and cultural topics; occasionally lunches or dinners were held which afforded the opportunity for the members to socialize. Larger scale events were rare occurrences. However, on Oct. 2, 1977, the Dutch TV and Radio Organization, under the sponsorship of the Dutch Reformed Church, filmed the church service, including the communion ceremony. About 200 persons were in attendance and some 40 persons wore Hungarian national costume.

Since, today, the congregation is larger and the members are younger, the social events are more frequent and more varied. These now include: luncheons on every first Sunday of the month, pot-luck affairs, picnics, and for the younger members, yearly tours to the nearby mountains and Mother’s Day celebrations. All these events are organized by the minister, and made successful by the members of the congregation. As indicated earlier, this church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. However, church services are held every Sunday in Hungarian and in English. The Gospel is read and explained in English and the sermon is held in Hungarian. Weekly radio programs, group Bible study, and Sunday school are also included in the activities. The church newspaper Új Úton [On a New Road], is published bi-monthly. The minister officiates at weddings, christenings, and funerals, and participates in church related conferences.

Due to the size of the congregation and the location of the church, on the surface it seems that the First Hungarian Reformed Church may have great difficulty surviving in the future. However, according to the Rev. Vass, the members are very loyal; there are always newcomers who are in need of personal and spiritual contact.

The Hungarian Reformed Church, on the other hand, has no affiliation with any English speaking church body, and according to the Rev. Csordás, serves the Hungarian “interest” of its congregation entirely. The services are held every Sunday in Hungarian, and every second Sunday

ITT-OTT 27. évf. (1994), 1. (123.) szám 37