Kaján Imre (szerk.): Zalai Múzeum 21. Emlékkötet Mindszenty József tiszteletére. Muzeológiai tanulmányok Zala megyéről (Zalaegerszeg, 2013)
Tanulmányok Mindszenty Józsefről - Megyeri Anna: „…maradandó öröm emlék…”. Mindszenty (Pehm) József építkezései Zalaegerszegen
Mindszenty (Pehm Józsefi építkezései Zalaegerszegen 93 . .timeless memory...” The constructions of József Mindszenty (Pehm) in Zalaegerszeg József Mindszenty (Pehm) followed the example of the building activity of Márton Biró bishop of Veszprém. When the full-length portrait of Márton Biro was inaugurated in the General Assembly hall of the county in 1928, in his speech based on his historical research Mindszenty surveyed the life of the bishop, who established several churches and organised parishes. In 1919 József Pehm took over the parish of Zalaegerszeg from his elderly predecessor, who left him the properties in poor condition. During his operation he tried to keep the existing buildings in good condition and to build new ones. He worked incessantly, and after getting the bishop’s commission in 1927, he spent the following years travelling and negotiating. „16 new ministries were established\ 9 new churches, 13 parsonages and 4 new Roman Catholic schools were built from scratch in the villages of Zala. ” The most spectacular lasting establishment of these wealthy decades are presented in this study, we get to know József Pehm as the initiator and organiser of the constructions. He found supporters for his large- scale projects: mainly Earl János Mikes, bishop in Szombathely, the members of the congregation, the board of the town and the county, the growing number of believers, and the members of the various Catholic associations promoted him. Due to his activity the second church of the parish, which has around 11 thousand Catholic believers, was built together with the Franciscan cloister attached to it in 1925-26 in Zalaegerszeg. The plan of István Kotsis’s, professor at a technical university, was chosen from among the applications by the Church Building Committee. The building was consecrated on 25th September 1927 by János Mikes bishop. The pulpit of King Charles IV memorial church could be completed as a gift from Queen Zita. József Pehm negotiated with the leaders of the Notre Dame Order school in Törökbálint in 1924, and he made a proposal for the town to settle the order in Zalaegerszeg. The palace-like building planned by István Csák was built in superb surroundings in the Jánka hill in 1928-29, so it created the possibility of high quality girls’ education in the town. The Catholic House, which was originally built for the journeymen’s association during World War I, was enlarged with a hall also containing a stage in 1930. It became possible for the young artisans and traders as well as for numerous Catholic societies to live a social and cultural life. In the second half of the 1930’s he continuously offered to sale his lands scattered in the town and on its outskirts. He spent a part of this income to rebuild the 18,h century parsonage, which was realized partially according to the plans of István Wölfer. The Saint Joseph hospice caring for the elderly was built in 1938 partly from public subscription, then the building of an apprentice hostel also began. These constructions gave the opportunity of employment for the local tradesmen at that time. The results are still dominant and beautiful components of the urban landscape and are valued homes of several institutions. Translated by Lívia Simmer
