Magyar News, 1996. szeptember-1997. augusztus (7. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1997-06-01 / 10. szám

Dedication of the comer stone on Clinton Avenue.

Illustration by E. Jean Burke.

The earliest of the churches was the First Hungarian Reformed Church, which was organized on Nov. 24, 1894. A group of Hungarian immigrants met with the pastor of the First Reformed Church on

Congress Street. The pastor agreed to help the Hungarians to organize a church and got the national body of the Reformed Church to provide assistance. The first church was built on Pine Street in 1896 and this building was used until 1907. A new building for the First Hungarian Reformed Church was built on Pine Street, and this was used until 1958 when the congregations present church was constructed on Clinton Ave. in Bridgeport.

The first youth fellowship club at the church was organized on Sept. 30, 1906 by the then pastor, Rev. Stephen Harsanyi.The Hungarian Christian Young People's Clubs took part in many group activities community projects and sports events outside the church and organized the first football team "The Alphabets” which became the championship team of the Greater Bridgeport area in later years. Christian education was an important part of the church. Due to the larger number of children attending Sunday School, many teachers were needed for the various age group levels.

The first church built on Pine Street by the members in 1896 and was used until 1907, when it was sold to the Hungarian Jewish Congregation Ahavath Achim.

The Confirmation Class of 1905 with Rev. Harsanyi

The Hungarian Young Men’s Christian Club in 1907