From
1926 until 1930, the First Church worshipped as guests
of the First Reformed Church at 950 East 45th Street,
in Los Angeles. This was an American congregation who
extended the hand of grace and friendship to us, and
let our congregation worship in their buildings rent-free.
 All
the while, the Reverend Hady and members of the congregation
actively searched for a home of their own.
In 1930, with much joy and anticipation for a bright
future, they purchased a church and several adjoining
buildings at 1101 West Florence Avenue in Los Angeles.
A lively church blessing ceremony - Templomszentelési
Ünnep - was held on April 13, 1930. Over the years,
this building was remodeled, repainted and improved many
times
over. Many new roofs were installed, a new heating
system and Baldwin organ were put in, the kitchen was
enlarged,
sanctuary remodeled and so on. Many people remember
how the Reverend Antal Szabó spearheaded the 1940`s drive
to raise funds for the purchase and installation of
the
beautiful stained glass windows. For those who are
interested, the windows are still in the Florence Avenue
church,
which now belongs to another Christian congregation.
The stained glass panels movingly depict a life-sized
Jesus standing at the door and knocking. Another window
shows Jesus with his head bowed in anguish in the garden
at Gethsemane.
In
1987, the old Florence Avenue church was sold during
an incredibly difficult and anguished
time for the congregation.
The entire congregation, but especially then-Chief
Elder Margaret Saltzer and Dr. Béla Biró, began a persistent
search for a new permanent home. While the great search
for a new building was ongoing, the congregation worshipped
as guests of the First Congregational Church in Pasadena.
After five seemingly endless years of viewing countless
church properties, in May of 1992 then-Chief Elder
Béla
Biró, while doing his regular daily scouring of church
property-listings, discovered what might be a suitable
church building for sale in Hawthorne. The entire congregation
went to see the property, and discovered later that
they all prayed for the same thing afterwards: they thanked
God for bringing the building to their attention, and
prayed that the asking price be somehow lowered by
a
lot, so we could afford the purchase. The selling congregation
heard from Dr. Biró how much the Hungarian congregation
wanted the building - and apparently also from God
that the asking price needed to be lowered. Astoundingly
to
some, not so astoundingly to the faithful, the asking
price was suddenly lowered so that it became affordable
to our congregation. The purchase was successfully
completed and 12717 York Avenue in Hawthorne has been
our home
ever since.
 In
the spring of 1996, the congregation undertook a construction
project to build the Fellowship
Hall - Kossuth
Terem. Many people made donations toward this work,
including individuals who were former long-time members
who had
moved away but still wanted the First Church to continue
its work in serving the Hungarian community. Much of
the interface with the builder was done by faithful
congregation member and Secretary, Ferenc Hudák who diligently
visited
the site nearly every day to make sure things were
proceeding smoothly. The work was substantially complete
in November
of 1997.
Some
things were done shortly after - George Warga, a nephew
of long-time member, Betty Warga installed
the
vinyl tile flooring in the Hall, and a kitchen sink.
The family of members Zsuzsika Cariaga and Piroska
Castillo donated tables and chairs. Tünde Garai donated
the large
kitchen stove and more recently a frisky-sounding Kimball
baby-grand piano. Making significant donations toward
the kitchen shelves were Helen Stefl and Adel Tóth.
Now the buzz of fellowship activity resonates in our
buildings
regularly.
With
God`s grace and assistance, our congregation just recently
completed the re-carpeting and repainting
of
the sanctuary and other rooms. Again Ferenc Hudák,
along with wife Ibolya, children Eszter and Viktor, as
well
as congregation members Béla Bácsa and Tünde, have
all worked incredibly hard to get this work done.
So
with these ongoing building improvements at our new home,
we continue the home-improvement tradition that
started on Florence Avenue. We thank God for the homes
He has provided our congregation through the years,
and
for giving us the strength and energy to continue His
work.
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