Originally organized as the Magyar Reformed Church in 1904, the Hungarian Reformed Church in America (HRCA) was under the jurisdiction of the Reformed Church of Hungary until 1918.
In the late 1800s, a large number of Hungarians immigrated to the United States, including several who were members of the Reformed Church of Hungary. As new Calvinist churches were established in America, they were extensions of the Church in Hungary.
However, with the break-up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire following World War I, the Reformed Church of Hungary surrendered its jurisdiction over the US congregations. In 1921, in what was known as the Tiffini Agreement, an arrangement was made for them to become part of the American Reformed Churches. Only one part of these churches accepted this arrangement, and they are known as the Calvin Synod of the United Church of Christ today.
The laity in most of the congregations viewed the agreement as detrimental to their dignity and their right to self-determination. With leadership from the Rev. Endre Sebestyen and Dr. Zoltan Kuthy, they formed the Free Magyar Reformed Church in America in 1923, holding its first denominational assembly in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, where they established a Presbytery. In 1928, at a General Assembly in Trenton, New Jersey, a second Presbytery was established.
In 1958, adding other congregations who desired to regain their Hungarian traditions, the denomination was renamed the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. Sister church affiliations have been established with the Hungarian Reformed Church.
The HRCA affirms the Second Helvetic Confession of 1566, which presents Calvinism as an evangelical form of Christianity that emphasizes the traditions of the Early Church and confirms the doctrine of election. The denomination also holds to the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Heidelberg Catechism.
Governmentally, the HRCA's polity is an amalgamation of episcopal and presbyterian, with one Diocese, headed by a bishop and a lay curator. The Diocese oversees three classes responsible for New York, the East, and the West. A deacon and a layman head each class. The denominational headquarters is in Poughkeepsie, New York.
The focal point of this category is on the denomination known as the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. Online resources representing the denomination and its ministries are, of course, appropriate for this category. While websites representing local HRCA churches are generally placed in the Local & Global category corresponding to the geographical locations of each church, those that contain sufficient information about the denomination itself may, at the discretion of the editors, be placed in both categories.
Recommended Resources
American Hungarian Reformed Church
Organized as the Magyar Reformed Church of Delray, Michigan in 1904, the congregation’s first church building was constructed in 1906, and it became part of the Hungarian Reformed Church of America in 1922. In 1965, its buildings in Delray were sold, and its current complex was built in Allen Park. Its history, beliefs, and affiliations are highlighted, and worship service schedules, a calendar of events, and a photo gallery are included.
http://www.ahrchurch.org/
First Hungarian Reformed Church
Organized in the Trinity Reformed Church in 1891, First Church was the first established Hungarian Reformed Church in America, and its first building was constructed in 1894. Its history, mission, and vision are put forth, and a schedule of worship services and ministries, a calendar of events, and a video sermon archive are presented. Rental policies for its Bethlen Hall are featured, and current publications and archives of the Calvin Synod Herald are included.
https://www.firsthunrefchurch.org/
First Hungarian Reformed Church In Phoenix
Fulfilling the cultural and spiritual needs of the Hungarian community in Phoenix, Arizona, the congregation strives to operate according to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures, in the Reformed tradition. Worship and ministry schedules, a calendar of events, and information and schedules for its associated school are presented, along with an audio sermon archive, slideshows, songs, and poems. A map shows the location of the church and a contact form is available.
http://www.hungarianchurchphoenix.org/
