A Békés Megyei Múzeumok Közleményei 24-25. (Békéscsaba, 2003)

Németh Csaba: Building of the Evangelic church in Gyula

Németh Csaba Building of the Evangelic church in Gyula - Csaba Németh Resume Building a temple was an old dream of the Evangelicals in Gyula organised into a branch church in 1907. When the World War I broke out, they had already collected 13,000 crowns. However, during the inflation after the world war this money became worth nothing. A new collection had to be started. On 21

st December 1925, the city assigned the site under no. 2588-89 in the Baron Wenckheim Béla Street (today: section of the Béke Avenue from the Kossuth Square) to the congregation free of charge for building a house of worship and a vicarage. The community asked Gedeon Gerlóczy (1895-1975) to make the plans. The finalised plan was ready by 20

,h January 1927. The contract was concluded by the supervisor and deacon Benő Kiss with the Melis-Popják firm of Szarvas, who undertook to bring the church under roof by 15

th August and carry out the interior works by 30

th October within the budget of 49,666 pengős. Between 1925 and 1933 as a result of 84 collectors' work during a countrywide collection, the community gained 21,346 Ps in a net value, thanks to aids of the domestic and foreign churches 10,538 Ps, from donations 20,316 Ps, while from interests 1027 Ps, in total 55,961 Ps, consequently 95-97 percent of the church-building costs was in the hand of the congregation. Some small amount of donations from thousands of people amounted to two thirds of the church-building costs (approx. 35-40,000 Ps). Out of the money collected, at least 12,000 Ps came from donators living in Gyula (not only Evangelicals) and further 20,000 Ps from Békés County. Consequently, half of the costs were covered by them. The money, however, was not at the community's disposal at the time, resulting in more obstructions and more-year litigation with the builders. The project was started on 20

th May 1927, and even if without a tower and with wants of some smaller works, the church of the Evangelical congregation in Gyula was constructed and consecrated on 18

th December, Sunday morning, in the presence of bishop Sándor Raffay. Németh Csaba Erkel Ferenc Múzeum 5700 Gyula, Kossuth u. 17. nemcsab@mailbox. hu 196