A Békés Megyei Múzeumok Közleményei 30. (Békéscsaba, 2007)

Németh Csaba: Formation and the initial years of the indepentend evangelical parish of Gyula

Németh Csaba Formation and the initial years of the independent evangelical parish of Gyula - Csaba Németh Resume Following the First World War, it was necessary to begin the organization of the congregation almost again. From 1922, the church services were arranged with monthly regularity. The new warden, dr. Endre Vangyel chief constable took over the initiative, who was helped by Dezső Kuthy mission pastor. The induction of Gábor Kemény mission pastor was held on 4 November 1923. While the independent parish was formed on 12 August 1924. In October of that year, the National Land Reallocating Court allocated 41 cadastral holds (23,6 hectare) of land for the parish. At the beginning of 1926, a schoolmaster was assigned to this place to perform the cantor's duties. Herewith the conditions of independence were created. However, the pastor left to Baja on 15 April 1927 since his salary was unsettled. On 25 September 1927 Károly Tátrai assistant minister of mining district, the attendant of the missionary parish of Csépa was appointed to his place. The congregation's life was hounded by the financial problems. The pastor's salary of 200 pengő per month could have been kept up only from the relief found of mission. In spite of that, as a result of a countrywide collection, a newly built church was dedicated on 18 December 1927. The home missionary work became stronger: in 1929 local Luther Association, Evangelical Women's Club and Girls' Club were formed. The congregation could have taken its due place in the social life of the town. They tended the patients of the hospital and the ТВ sanatorium arranging two church services per month in them. In the penitentiary, they gave religious instructions twice a month for the youthful persons. At this time, 110 children received religious instruction in Gyula. Between 1 December and Pentecost Bible studies were held twice a week for the adults. The members of the Christian Juvenile Club gathered in the afternoons of Sunday. The congregation received an area of 1468 square öl (about 0.5 hectare) from the new municipal public cemetery as a graveyard. By the end of 1927 the church, on 15 August 1930 the new council room and in a year later the parsonage were finished. However, in 1932 the pastor conflicted with a part of the faithful because of the rigid judgment of the letters of mutual concessions. The peace was reestablished only by the change of pastor. Németh Csaba Erkel Ferenc Múzeum H-5700 Gyula, Kossuth u. 17. E-mail: nemcsab@mailbox.hu 204