A Century in the Life of a Church

One hundred years! A speck of sand on the beach of history but a huge span of chronology in the life of God’s creatures. The advent of this jubilant anniversary is marked with importance, as these 100 Christmases and Easters and winters and summers and first days of school have been spent in fellowship and community in the name of God! We are the witnesses of this testament to His power and its effect on a century of Hungarian-American life in Northern New Jersey.

Founding Pastor, Rev. Géza Messerschmidt wrote about a simple, yet vital formula in an August 1903 address to his parishioners: "Religion, homeland, and a Hungarian Roman Catholic church in the United States." These were the ingredients of an uncertain future, which were mixed to create certain success in an unknown, new world.

This community has seen much in the last ten decades: nine pastors, countless baptisms, wedding days, the building of a new school, financial prosperity and the Great Depression, fires, funerals, two world wars, a revolution in Hungary, and thousands of parishioners of all ages who would call this parish their home. Yes, the small group of Hungarian immigrants, who came to this country in the late 1800’s for the chance at a better life, surpassed this dream hundredfold and built their church on a solid spiritual foundation, so strong that it endured its first 100 years. So now, we celebrate!

The Beginning

All over the cities, towns, and villages of Hungary, children of God were brought into the world! Little did these newborns realize where the path of their lives would lead them: to a city on the other side of the world, Passaic, named by its original Native American settlers to mean "peaceful valley" to live a better life and establish new life in a church they would someday call St. Stephen’s.

Because of the wonderful opportunities offered by America, many a Hungarian was attracted to the point where he left his native country to enter this land of promise in the New World. Passaic, with its textile mills and many other thriving businesses offering an opportunity to all, proved to be so inviting that men came from all parts of the old country and established residence in Passaic.

Soon they found that daily bread alone was not sufficient for them. They had not forgotten to bring with them to their new home their strong sense of Catholic faith and they felt that something was definitely lacking; especially when they saw the spiritual progress of the people of other nationalities. It was this spiritual hunger, together with the zealous leadership of Father Charles Boehm of the Hungarian Parish in Cleveland, Ohio, who further inspired them through the publication, ,,A Hírnök'' (The Messenger), that resulted in the founding of a society, the purpose of which was the eventual establishment of a Hungarian parish. Up until this time, many Hungarian Catholics had been attending services at St. Mary's Church, Passaic, where the Rev. Emery Haitinger was pastor. Being able to speak Hungarian, he ministered to their spiritual needs. Nevertheless, they still felt they were outsiders. This gave them added incentive to build a church where they could worship God in prayer and song in their own language. Shortly thereafter, they made their first real step in this direction when they purchased four lots, and, in 1902, the Most Reverend John O'Connor, Bishop of Newark, sent them their first Pastor in the person of Father Géza Messerschmidt, who had been ordained in Kassa, Hungary.

A Parish is Born

With his arrival began the actual parish life of St. Stephen's. Until then, the various sacraments had been administered in other churches, but on Christmas Day, 1902, the Parish had its first baptism. It was on this day that Elizabeth Berki, who was born on December 16th, the daughter of John Berki (Komárom County) and Júlia Grusz (Fehér County) was baptized by their own pastor. The first marriage vows were taken on January 18, 1903, by Charles Molnár (Söréd) and Mary Krivda (Abaúj County). The first funeral was that of Theresa Schuster, who died at the age of 50 on December 21st and was buried on December 24th.

The first sermon was preached by Father Messerschmidt himself. The text of his sermon appeared in the ,,Magyarok Vasárnapja'' (The Hungarian's Sunday) on January 29, 1903. He wrote to the editor of this newspaper as follows: „…I found a spiritually inspired people, whose only wish was that they could celebrate Christmas together according to their own customs and language. But where? Every church was holding its own services. None of the necessary items for celebrating Holy Mass were available. It was but one day before Christmas. And yet, on Christmas Eve at twelve midnight, everything was in readiness. We rented a suitable, large auditorium and, while families everywhere gathered together beside warm fires and shining Christmas trees to await the coming of Christ, we worked feverishly, setting up our altar, decorating it and arranging the sacred vessels for Mass, all of which had been secured, as the saying goes, 'with the speed of a steam engine.' The next date, Christmas Day, in an auditorium filled to capacity, I celebrated our first Holy Mass. When I intoned the 'Gloria,' my eyes became filled with tears and I thought of the Infant Jesus, the Holy Family, who also could find no place to stay, who turned to a cold, shabby stable. How merciful is God! He blesses those who work for His glory. For it goes without saying that the blessings belong to those zealous men and women who, despite their family duties and ties, placed God before everything else."

,,Shortly after, we held our first Parish meeting. There were many items which we still lacked to properly carry on our church services. I did not really know my people or to what extent their generosity would go. So it was with some misgivings that I read a list of things which would have to be purchased. I told them these purchases could not be made with Parish funds. They would have to be donated. I needn't have feared. A donor volunteered immediately as each item was read. In fact, there were more donors than items and at the meeting's end, we found ourselves richer by $250.00.''

The early 20^th century Hungarian-Americans worked six days a week with hardly a dime to spare for anything extra. Their willingness to sacrifice for the church knew no limits. The faith and wisdom of the founders of this church knew that this poverty would not last forever. Their example endures today, as their descendants and those who joined them throughout the course of the 1900’s still work, offering time, money, and unending dedication for the good of the parish.

It was during this time that people knew to look forward to Sunday, the Sabbath, when they could spend time with family and friends. They understood the key to living in a spiritual community: spending time together will strengthen the bond of the Church and its people, while giving appropriate glory to God.

The year was now 1903. These people lived with conviction. They lived with faith and dedication. These would be entirely necessary as they began the biggest task in the creation of a parish: the building of a church!

The Building of the Church

The enthusiasm of our founders knew no limits and it was not long before they decided to build the church. At the parish meeting held in March 1903, it was resolved that the church would be built of brick and in the Gothic style. Later this was changed to the Gothic-Roman style. Francis Averkamp, an architect from Newark, undertook the work. Just as the project was ready to get under way, it was discovered that the site which had been purchased near the banks of the Passaic River was considered a flood area and the insurance company demanded an increase in coverage to $10,000. This stirred up a mild storm of protest, which was subdued by the intervention of His Excellency, the Bishop of the Diocese, under whose direction the present site on Third Street was purchased. This locale was at that time a Hungarian colony.

Before long, the building plans were completed and construction bids were made. The Parish Board found the bid of the Frederici-Armezzani Company to be the most satisfactory. It amounted to $31,684.00. Ground was broken on May 1st.

On June 21^st, the faith and enthusiasm of the parishioners was greatly strengthened during the blessing of the church’s cornerstone. Msgr. John Sheppard of Jersey City, who was to represent the Bishop in the blessing ceremony was greeted at the Passaic railroad station and escorted through the city to the church. A colorful band led the procession followed by parishioners, Louis Szóják, John Géczi and John Juhász, in Hungarian Huszár uniforms and on horseback. Then followed the young girls of the parish wearing beautiful Hungarian costumes with wreaths on their heads; the various societies and organizations of the parish; then the priests of Passaic and vicinity and visiting priests from other cities and states, all riding in decorated carriages. Sermons were given by Dr. Paul Virágh, Pastor of the Trenton Hungarian Parish, and by Msgr. Sheppard. The day, which followed several weeks of rain was crowned by unending sunshine!

In the meantime, the basement auditorium of St. Joseph's R. C. Church was leased and services were held there. In October, a terrible blow struck the youthful parish. After days of heavy rain, the Passaic River overflowed and within minutes the flood water filled the basement of the church. Everything would have been lost had it not been for the bravery of a handful of our parishioners, Dezső Papp, Gustáv Genzereit, Louis Szóják, Tivadar Lesző, John Faubel and John Tóth. They risked their lives to save what they could of the sacred vessels, vestments, etc. Even so, the parish suffered a loss of more than $1,000. This blow was deeply felt by the parishioners and they wished more than ever to leave their catacomb-like place of worship.

Meanwhile, the new church neared completion. Construction had continued during the winter months and a steam heating plant was installed. Finally, on May 15, 1904, the building was completed and on May 22nd, Pentecost Sunday, the first Mass was celebrated.

The Church

The architecture is in the Gothic-Roman style. The nave measures 100 x 65 feet. The central part rises to a height of 60 feet and the sides aisles to 27 feet. Fourteen steel columns support the building. The sanctuary is dominated by the beautiful Gothic main altar, which was designed by Father Messerschmidt and built by Anton Schimmel, a Tyrolean master woodcarver.

The altar is 40 feet high and 18 feet wide. The image of St. Stephen in his royal garb offering the crown of his beloved homeland to the Blessed Mother while an angel appears above him in the clouds bearing a Hungarian banner, pointing to the Virgin Mary who is beyond the dying king's sight. These pieces are done with artistic quality and impressive realism to make them seem lifelike. Alongside the centerpiece appear St. Elizabeth and St. Margaret of the House of Árpád in the form of miniature statuettes. Beneath them are life-size wooden statues of St. Imre, the son of St. Stephen, and St. László, king of late 11th century Hungary. The tabernacle has praying angels on either side of it. The entire altar was carved out of wood and painted a cream color with a modest gold trim. The work cost the early parishioners $1,510. This was reasonable for both the artist and the parish. The artist charged much less than the regular fee and considered the difference as free advertising. The church benefited by receiving the beautiful craftsmanship for a bargain. This fee, that was still a rather large amount for citizens of the turn of the century, was paid by the St. Anne Altar Society of our parish. These ladies, who for the most part were employed by local factories, were able to raise this money in one year. On July 26, 1904, St. Anne's day, the altar was blessed by Rev. Emery Haitinger.

Many of the original necessities of the building itself were not provided for immediately. Temporary seats were rented until 1906 when permanent pews were installed. After 7 years, in 1910, side altars were erected at a cost of $1,100.00 and dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Lourdes. The statue at the Sacred Heart Altar was restored in the early 1990’s. Below it, the beautifully decorated Holy Grave of Christ is opened on Good Friday every year. The altar depicting Our Lady of Lourdes is adorned with gold netting and crowned every May.

The 132 foot high steeple atop St. Stephen's stands tall and heralds of the thriving religiosity of Passaic's Hungarian-Americans. Three bells ring daily calling the people to Mass and prayer. The two original bells were the gift of Mrs. Stephen Dobos. The larger of the two weighs 1,200 pounds and the smaller 350 pounds. One of Father Messerschmidt's fond hopes was to have a third bell, a wish that came to pass in 1958 with the installation and dedication of the Hungarian Liberty Bell. Through the generosity of several parishioners, the bells were restored in 2001 and are now rung every day at 12:00 noon to commemorate János Hunyadi’s victory over the Turks in Nándorfehérvár in 1456.

The highlight of the anterior of the building is the 18 x 10 foot stained glass window surrounded by a cement frame. The large relief above the main entrance is a depiction of St. Stephen, the first Christian king of Hungary, offering up the Holy Crown of his beloved homeland to the Virgin Mary just five days before his death as a symbol of his devotion to Christianity and his special faith in the Virgin Mother.

Upon entering the church, the faithful find themselves in a wide vestibule. Its double doors lead the parishioner to the central nave of the church. The tall and slender Corinthian columns, the colorful light that dances across the beautifully painted stained glass windows, the faint light that trickles down from the galactic mural of stars above the altar, the harmonious blending of the interior design produced by the colors of the paintings, and the towers that crown the main altar, create a feeling of calm, peace, and oneness with the Lord within the heart that is seldom sparked by simply viewing the inside of a church.

The nave and the choir loft may seat a total of 500 people. The apse’s lateral doors lead to the sacristy and the altar servers’ dressing room. The choir loft is divided into three sections, which may be reached by two staircases on either side of the main entrance. The confessionals currently located in niches to the right and left of the main entrance, were originally found where the Mission Cross and Heroes’ Altar are today.

Eight busts are placed above alternating columns. They illustrate four leaders of the Eastern Church, Sts. Athanasius, Basil the Great, Gregory Nazianzus, and John Chrysostom; and four leaders of the Western Church, Sts. Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, and Gregory the Great; These are the Magni Doctores Ecclesiae, or the Grand Doctors of the Church.

It was the intent of the first pastor to make the inside of the church brighter than neighboring churches. The fourteen original windows of the church were clear. They were later painted to illustrate lives of particular saints and scenes from the Scripture. The windows are approximately 16 feet tall.

Two pulpits served the pastors of St. Stephen’s during the course of the century. The original was a tall, carved pulpit in the Gothic style with a finial. It was lowered during Father Gáspár’s tenure. The second pulpit was installed in the 1950’s, funded by the proceeds raised by the popular plays that were performed at the church, written by parishioner László Kertész.

Stations of the cross adorn the walls between the windows. The originals were made of plaster. They were taken off and buried in the 1940’s when they were replaced by new ones made of hammered copper and bronze. These Stations were restored at the end of the 1990’s.

Gas and electric lights were used to light the church. Gas lights and candles were originally hung from the columns. These were replaced in time along with the church’s heating system.

Many statues add to the splendor of the interior of the church. Besides the statues depicting the Hungarian saints and the Doctors of the Church, many of the world’s most popular saints are depicted in statue form. Near the Heroes’ Altar is a lovely statue which commemorates St. Theresa of Lisieux, bearing a rosary and her roses. Beneath the Mission Cross is a smaller version of Michelangelo’s Pietá. A statue of St. Joseph and the Infant Jesus is found on the left of the Blessed Mother Altar. The Infant of Prague’s statue stands to the left of the Sacred Heart Altar and the statue of St. Francis of Assisi stands on the right. These statues are found all around the church and add greatly to its aesthetic and spiritual value.

The organ was installed by the Peragallo Organ Company. The church has had its current electric organ since 1953. The organ has nine rows of pipes and can create the sound of various musical instruments. The organ was restored in the 1990’s and has since been used to play beautiful works of classical and liturgical music during organ concerts that have been given by local musicians and by the parish’s organists during the Holy Mass.

The rooms located under the church have served many purposes during the course of 100 years. In the 1920’s and 1930’s, the cantor of the church, Andrew Molnár, Sr. taught Hungarian language and catechism classes there. The room was later used by local BSA Troop 31, sponsored by St. Stephen’s. Until 1997, when parishioners cleaned out the lower rooms of the church, they were used for storage. In the time since then, these rooms have been designated as parish meeting rooms and since 2000, the home of the Bishop László Irányi Memorial Library, housing thousands of books of various genres and languages. Some of the books date back to the late 1800’s and are deemed priceless.

The Blessing of the Church

Then on August 21, 1904 the church was formally blessed and dedicated. This was a day even more memorable than the day the cornerstone was blessed. As Father Messerschmidt wrote: ,,This was our day. We could well repeat the words from Holy Scripture: 'This is the day which the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad therein.' We wept together with joy. As I passed through the throng of people which filled the streets around our church, I heard not a sound. Not a person spoke but I could see that every eye shone with tears of joy.''

At 9:30 the procession began to the center of Passaic to await the arrival from South Orange of His Excellency, the Bishop. The Bishop was greeted by the Revs. Géza Messerschmidt, Michael Molcsany and Valentine Chlebovszky, all pastors of Passaic parishes, and as the bells of all the Catholic churches of Passaic -- Irish, Polish, German, Italian, Slovak -- began to ring the procession wound its way to St. Stephen's. On both sides of the streets stood crowds of people marveling at the colorful sight. To the accompaniment of five bands the various societies and organizations, not only from St. Stephen's parish but others, marched magnificently dressed in Hungarian Huszár and Polish dress uniforms with flags unfurled. The societies of women also followed in their own beautiful costumes, their banners flying. Then two by two came the young girls of the parish dressed in pure white. A sight which prompted the Bishop to smile and say: ,,Haec est revera ecclesia filialis'' -- ,,This is truly a filial parish.''

Upon reaching the church, the ceremonies began. First the blessing of the church followed by Solemn High Mass. The Bishop occupied his throne in the sanctuary while the Mass was celebrated by Rev. Francis Dienes, Pastor from New York. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Emery Sebok, Professor of Christian Doctrine in Budapest, who was visiting America at the time. The Blessed Virgin Mary Choir of St. Stephen's sang the Latin Mass which had been written for the occasion by Father Messerschmidt himself. Then the people themselves sang the soul-stirring hymns of their native land.

When the Mass was over, the Pastor addressed the Bishop in Latin. He stated, in part: ,,At this moment, 2,000 Hungarian hearts are filled with an inexpressible joy. This joy is theirs not only because with God's help this beautiful building now stands, but because you, Your Excellency, the representative of the Vicar of Christ on earth, through whose help and guidance this project was completed, can be here with us, that we may greet you and sincerely thank you. Be assured that we are all aware that the glory of this day belongs to God. The Hungarian people truly believe in the One, True, Catholic Church of which you, Your Excellency, are the representative. Behold, the eyes of everyone here are upon you at this moment, expressing their reverence and love. For although they were torn from their native homes their native priests, they have now found in their new home a Father in Christ, who is you.''

,,Accept, Your Excellency, our humble words of thanks, but it is not our thanks alone but those of St. Stephen of Hungary which are expressed. He will reward your charity for having embraced his people.''

Following a formal banquet at the parish house, the Bishop left. 'This is the day which the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad therein. Blessed be His Holy Name.''

A New Era

Our founding fathers and mothers had successfully established the parish. The functional, but still young parish bid its founding pastor Fr. Messerschmidt farewell in 1911. For the next few years, between 1911 and 1915, there was a succession of pastors, including Reverend John Schimkó and Reverend Louis Kovács, who stayed only two years each. Then in 1915, Reverend Joseph Marczinkó arrived at St Stephen's, where he remained for the next seventeen years. It was Father Marczinkó who guided the parish through the trying days of World War I and the early days of the Great Depression. The church, as was all of Passaic, was hard hit by the Depression. It took some time to recover from this financial disaster and to implement the next step planned for the development of the parish -- a school.

In the interim, Father Marczinkó was reassigned. The parish was under the pastorate of Reverend James Raile from 1932 to 1933. With the arrival of Rev. James Raile, a new era began. The growing parish was in need of a place where young and old could carry on the work which had been begun. Up until this time the small basement of the church had been used for all parish functions -- meetings, bazaars, dinners, etc. The Bishop granted permission to purchase a site for a building. The problem was where to find one.

Behind the church on Market Street was an abandoned wooden foundry building. This property was purchased and plans were made to tear down this building and erect a new one, also of wood. These plans were abruptly halted when in September 1933, Father Raile was reassigned.

From 1933 to 1937, Reverend William Furlong acted as administrator, while Reverend János Gáspár took care of the pastoral needs of St. Stephen's and guided the parish in its endeavors to build a new school. However, with the help of the able trustees, Stephen Wizler and Joseph Boska, the project was resumed. The Bishop, seeing the need and desire of the people, provided the necessary funds for creating not only an auditorium but a school building. The parishioners were fired with enthusiasm to see their school built and occupied, and worked hard at the project.

In years to come, Father Gáspár was to assume an important role that would bring a long-sought stability and reassurance of the future of the parish. His work resurrected the enthusiasm of this parish which would be so necessary in the next two decades as it began its greatest new challenge, expansion.

The Building of the School

Under new leadership and with elevated excitement, the parish began its newest undertaking, building a school. The cornerstone of the school and auditorium was laid in September, 1936. The dedication of the auditorium took place on March 15th. The school was dedicated six months later, on September 19, 1937.

The Most Reverend Archbishop Thomas Walsh dedicated the new school building and hall, as Passaic was still in the Archdiocese of Newark. Father Gáspár, who had assumed the pastorate at this time, assisted in the dedication ceremonies.

On September 19, 1937, the blessing of the school took place. The program included a procession with band accompaniment from the President Palace Meeting Hall at the corner of President Street and Parker Avenue, led by the St. Anthony Society. This was the headquarters of the St. Anthony Sick and Death Benefit Association. After a brief service in the church, the Bishop blessed the school and then delivered his address. Then the parishioners and their guests viewed the new building. There followed a banquet at which the guest speaker was the Rev. Dr. Stephen Diteljan. On this occasion, Father Gáspár spoke to his parishioners as follows, in part: ,,Celebrating this great day are the children of St. Stephen who came to Passaic and worked so hard that they may have spiritual as well as material bread. The preparation for this celebration was slow and difficult but now it is completed and we ask every good-hearted Hungarian to join in our happiness. We want the spirit of this joyous occasion to remain with us for years to come. We want our building to stand for the glory of God and to serve as a gathering place for all. Our school will be an aide to the parents of our children, a place where they can be taught the right roads to follow throughout life. It will be the distribution point for respect and love of God, parents and country.''

The next project was the elimination of the mortgage as quickly as possible. The energy and perseverance of the parishioners made this possible and within five years, on October 31, 1942, the mortgage papers were burned and every brick of the school belonged to St. Stephen’s! The energy of the vibrant parish of the late 1930’s and early 1940’s was far from depleted. The parishioners and their charismatic leader began their next undertaking, the redecoration and renewal of the church which would bring them through the new Golden Era of the Church over the next two decades!

Redecoration and Renewal: The Golden Era

New plans were underway for the renewal of the church. The first goal was the replacement of the windows. In total, 51 new stained glass windows were installed, 17 of which are from 14 to 16 feet high. Their cost was $350.00 for the large ones and $40.00 to $80.00, according to size, for the smaller ones. Donors volunteered for each. Each large window is dedicated to the intention of the donor and the smaller ones in memory of the parish's war heroes. The large windows on the right hand side depict various scenes from Holy Scripture and the smaller ones show the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady. The large windows on the left hand side depict various Hungarian Saints and Martyrs and the smaller ones symbolize the Seven Sacraments. The two large windows high on either side of the main altar are dedicated to Christ the King and Our Lady of Hungary. The total cost of the windows was $8,000.00. The cost of these windows today would be $800,000.

Another phase of the redecoration program was the building of new confessionals which were installed on each side of the entrance. In the place of the old ones was erected the Heroes' Altar on which are inscribed the names of young men of the parish who gave their lives in World War II. The names of those who served in the Armed Forces are also shown. The centerpiece of the altar is a painting by a Polish artist and the altar itself was made by Doig & Doig, woodcarvers. The names were gilded by Frank Wasko. The total cost was $1,900.00. The last two names, Béla Kapotsffy and Béla Keresztes, Jr. were added and dedicated on Veteran’s Day, 2001.

On the day of the dedication of the school in 1937, the Archbishop requested the Daughters of Divine Charity to take over the religious instruction of the children. Two Sisters were appointed by Reverend Mother Alexandrine, Provincial Superior.

These Sisters commuted daily from 82nd Street in New York City to St. Stephen's School, where they prepared three hundred and fifty children for the Sacraments of Penance, the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Then, in January, 1939, Father Gáspár had one of the classrooms divided into a kitchen and bedroom, providing living quarters for the Sisters and

thus eliminating the long hours of commuting between New York and New Jersey.

The next year, on November 30, 1940, the new convent, situated next to the rectory, was dedicated. The lovely chapel that had been especially built there was placed under the patronage of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. The convent was soon named the ,,Little House.'' There were three Sisters now working with the children, under the guidance of Father Gáspár.

Another important improvement was the installation of a new, modern, automatic oil heating system. The old radiators were large and made the beautiful walls of the church black. The new system was installed in 1945 by John Förhéz for $5,600.00.

In that same year, the parish was blessed with a new chaplain, Fr. Andrew Molnár, Jr., the son of the cantor and organist who had done so much for the parish in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Like his father, Rev. Molnár did wonderful work with the youth of the parish.

In 1946 the redecorating of the church interior was started. The Frederick Pustet Co. of New York undertook the work which required six months to complete. The walls were painted to resemble two-toned Indiana limestone. The German artist, Hans Schmidt, was commissioned to paint the beautiful pictures found on the ceilings and walls. The twelve apostles are shown on either side of the church. On the center ceiling are scenes from the life of our Blessed Mother. The cost of the painting was $6,000.00.

The following year, 1947, the floors were entirely reconditioned with 95% pure rubber flooring which will last a lifetime. The sanctuary floor is covered in an oriental pattern while at the side altars are the monograms of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin. The work was executed by the Holstein Company of Connecticut and cost $8,000.00 in all. This was covered partly by donations and partly by parish funds.

The lighting system was also entirely overhauled. Plans were made and executed by Frigyes Kormann. New chandeliers were installed. This work was done by Nicholas Romano, local electrical contractor, according to plans designed by Frederick Cook. The cost was $2,500.00.

The pews were also completely refinished and rubber foam cushions were installed on the kneeling benches. New Stations of the Cross made of hammered copper and bronze by the Necker Company were erected at a cost of $60.00 each. Each station was donated by generous parishioners.

In 1925 the original wooden parish house was sold to a parishioner, Joseph Boska, who had it moved to 196 Fourth Street, where he lived with his family. A new brick parish house was built in its place at a cost of $14,000.00. The architect was Morris Mandel and the builder, Mr. Morro.

As the parish and its school grew, more space was needed by the teaching Sisters. Another project was begun and carried through. The parish house was converted into a convent. A chapel was built onto the building. Meanwhile, our priests had moved into the building, which had until then been occupied by the Sisters, until such time as the new rectory would be completed.

The property at 223 Third Street had been purchased and the building on it razed. The new rectory was built in 1950 according to plans by Frederick Cook, Newark architect and constructed by Frank Kaleta, a parishioner. The masonry contractor was Fred Gembala. The building was erected at a cost of $43,500.00 and is completely modern in every respect. It is an improvement of which the Passaic East Side can well be proud.

Property Purchases and Sales

At the time of its founding, the parish property consisted of four lots upon which its buildings were built. In the 1920's the property and building located at Market and Morris Streets unfortunately had to be sold. This sale provided the funds needed to build the Rectory which now is the chapel.

In 1932, Fr. Raile decided that instead of selling property the parish would have to acquire some. It was then that Bishop Walsh authorized the purchase of 210-218 Market Street from the De Vries heirs for $12,000.00. This proved to be a farsighted move as five years later the school was built on this land. In 1941, the property on 215 Third St. at a price of $5,600.00 was purchased to serve as a temporary convent and a few years later the building on 223 Third St. was purchased for $6,900.00, to become the future site of the new Rectory. Another purchase was that of an additional plot of 25 x 100 feet which enlarged the playground for our school. Another purchase was made June 1, 1952, of the house and property at 211 Third Street for $14,000.00. In the 1980’s, the parish purchased the lot across Third Street. Once the house there was torn down, the area became a new parking lot for the church.

These purchases were necessary and called for generosity in dollars, time, and work. The parishioners of the church have always and continue to do all they can to sustain the parish. The foresight of these purchases have allowed the church to move forward and satisfy the needs of the community. May God bless all those who have given so much to the church for so long!

A Decade of Trials

In 1952, the parish family of St. Stephen’s celebrated its 50^th anniversary. The time was jubilant and the people radiated enthusiasm and energy created by strong leadership, successful expansion, and flourishing population. Unfortunately, this energy was about to be taxed in a series of trials and tribulations over the next ten years.

On a tragic night the following May, fire broke out in the basement of the church, under the pews on the left side of the building. Fire fighters were summoned to stop the blaze. However, the water that poured into the church did not reach the flames which ravaged St. Stephen’s. Firemen began to chop through the floor under the pews. The priceless windows had to be broken to allow the black smoke to escape without destroying the treasures of the church. Many heroic fire fighters were taken to the hospital, suffering from smoke inhalation. The blaze was extinguished but by the grace of God, the inner strength of the parish was not!

For the course of months, Holy Mass was celebrated in the auditorium. Father Gáspár’s leadership proved irreplaceable. This tragedy, which might have meant despair, actually brought the parish family together and created an era of cooperation and perseverance. The many new parishioners who had been refugees of World War II experienced their first taste of the dedication to community in St. Stephen’s. They joined together with the already strong parish to rebuild the fire-ravaged church.

World War II took its toll on Hungary and all of Europe. Many of the young men of St. Stephen’s went off to war and never returned. Then, in October 1956, revolution broke out on the streets of Budapest when protesters of all ages stood up to the Communist regime which was governing Hungary as part of the Soviet Union. Both of these tragedies brought many young Hungarians and their families to Passaic to join the ranks of St. Stephen’s Church. The parish received more than 120 refugee families after the revolution, an event which stirred Hungarian-Americans and prompted them to new works of charity. Therefore, this new generation of Hungarian families found not only a warm welcome from Father Gáspár, but more often than not, the comforting words, „What can we do for you? If you need anything, please ask.'' Together with the Hungarian Reformed Church and its pastor, Rev. Imre Bertalan, St. Stephen’s helped these families establish their new lives.

In 1958, having survived the World War II era, a devastating fire, the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, and financial difficulties, St. Stephen’s and its replenished population was ready to celebrate. The Hungarian Liberty Bell was dedicated. Founding Pastor, Fr. Messerschmidt’s dream had come to fruition nearly half a century after his departure. The bell was paid for with the proceeds from a series of plays written and directed by parishioner László Kertész. The bell was a symbol of survival after the most difficult decade in the church’s history. When it was dedicated, the bell sang of the spirit of perseverance on the streets of Passaic. Its sweet song was needed in this time in the late 1950’s. The parishioners did not realize that in a few years, the bells was going to toll for their beloved pastor, Father Gáspár.

A Parish Mourns

An insight into the character of Father Gáspár, whose gentle nature often belied his stern countenance, is demonstrated in an incident which occurred during the budding popularity of air conditioning at that time. It seems that the convent was stifling during the summer months. Sister Aurelia, hoping to find some relief for her Sisters, approached Father Gáspár, saying, ,,Father, it is so hot in the convent, do you suppose we could have an air conditioner?'' it seems that Father Gáspár, a large, portly man, swung around abruptly and before rushing off, spoke only two words in reply, ,,No money.''

No one was more surprised the next morning than Sister Aurelia when two workmen showed up at the convent to install an air conditioner.

Father Gáspár, who has been described as ,,the last of the great Patriarchs'', had once again demonstrated that his bark was certainly much worse than his bite, and that the comfort and care of those in his charge were important enough to find enough money from somewhere. This kindly, saintly priest won the love of his people through his personal concern for them as individuals.

For more than thirty years he showed this concern in a thousand and more different ways. His death, on February 21, 1963, plunged the parish into deep mourning. He left behind not only his spiritual flock but a parish of friends, loved ones, brothers and sisters in Christ who loved their pastor as a father, a brother, a son. He was, after all, the head of the family -- the parish family. And for the Hungarian people, to lose a loved one is as the Psalmist has said, a time when, ,,...in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; and he shall set me upon a rock.''

For the people of St. Stephen's, their parish was their rock. Just as it had in the past, the Church of St. Stephen became the haven they sought in time of sorrow, the place where they offered prayers for the repose of the soul of Father Gáspár.

A New Beginning

The parish was still mourning the death of their beloved pastor, Fr. Gáspár in 1963. Someone was needed to continue his invaluable work. The parish’s prayers were answered at the arrival of their new pastor, Rev. Anthony Dunay. Born in Hungary, he received his higher education in Vienna, Austria, and was ordained there on July 9, 1939.

During his years at St. Stephen's, Father Dunay, an outstanding pastor, and an intellectual, was the initiator of many new developments in the parish. For instance, when city authorities condemned a part of the school building, Father Dunay, who did not want the children's education disrupted, arranged to have the children transferred temporarily to the Hungarian Reformed Church, whose pastor, Reverend Dr. Aladár Komjáthy, welcomed the sisters and students to the schoolrooms of Calvin Hall. Meanwhile, the pastor appointed a committee to report on the changes that would be needed in the school. Acting on their recommendations, construction was begun on a new wing with enlarged facilities. A fund-raising drive was held. It helped defray costs which, coupled with the necessary alterations on the old building, totaled $398,000.

It was during Fr. Dunay’s tenure that Cardinal József Mindszenty, Primate of Hungary came and said Holy Mass at St. Stephen’s. It was Sunday, May 19, 1974 and over 500 Hungarians, parishioners and guests crowded the church to be witness to this historical occasion. The Mass was followed by a banquet where the parish paid homage to this legendary figure of Hungarian history.

It was also during Fr. Dunay’s tenure that the laity became more and more involved in the liturgy. In the wake of Vatican II, many new lectors were appointed and the first group of over 20 Eucharistic ministers were trained and installed to serve the Lord and the parish. Some of the faces have changed, but the momentum created by Father Dunay in the 1970’s has been sustained in the way the laity is involved in the church.

In order to preserve Hungarian-American language and culture, classes in the school were prolonged for another hour daily for those who wanted to learn to read and write in Hungarian, and to learn about the culture of the nation that gave Liszt, Kodály, and Bartók to the world. The children were taught under the supervision of lay teachers. This has since been moved to the Saturday morning Hungarian school, which still thrives in the beginning of the 21^st century.

Unfortunately, Father Dunay's health began to decline, and before he had an opportunity to implement all new ideas he had for St. Stephen's, his illness necessarily slowed down this vital priest until his death on May 29, 1977.

Father John Cusack, who had been chaplain of the parish for six years continued on as administrator and ran the church to the best of his ability with the aid of Fr. Serenus Szabó of Roebling, until the arrival of the new pastor, Rev. Béla Török in 1978.

A Parish Recovers

The year was 1978. St. Stephen’s had lost two beloved pastors in the last 15 years. Fr. John Cusack, chaplain saw to the administrative needs of the church while numerous Hungarian priests would come to the church to say Hungarian Mass, baptize, perform weddings and funerals. Just months before celebrating its 75^th anniversary, the parish needed new leadership. This need was met with the arrival of Rev. Béla Török from Michigan.

During his twelve-year tenure, he was especially concerned with the spiritual and physical well being of the elderly and sick members of our parish. Father Török was responsible for the church's much needed exterior restoration. The church's interior was also painted and decorated. Our parish underwent another very trying period when our auditorium was heavily damaged by fire in June 1987. For the next three years, it seemed that all was lost in that the church’s insurance was hardly enough to cover the cost of rebuilding. However, through God's grace, a new and more modern auditorium was built with both young and old volunteering their time and effort. The auditorium was reopened with a dinner dance on May 19, 1990, exactly 16 years after the visit of Cardinal Mindszenty. Friday Bingo games had begun again in the St. Stephen’s Cultural Center, which has since been renamed after Cardinal Mindszenty.

Unfortunately with pastoral duties taking a heavy toll on his health, Father Török retired to Austria in 1990. He celebrated the 50^th anniversary of his ordination in 1993. Fr. Török passed away on February 22, 1998.

Recent Years

In June of 1990, Father Török announced that he would be retiring to Austria in August. The parish was in need of a new pastor. This need was fulfilled in Rev. Stephen Mustos. The parish was restored to new life with the arrival of Father Mustos, a Piarist headmaster from Devon, Pennsylvania in August 1990. He was installed as the ninth pastor of St. Stephen’s on October 7, 1990. In addition to his duties as pastor of this beautiful church, Fr. Mustos also serves as delegate to Bishop Attila Miklósházy, the bishop of Hungarians outside the borders of Hungary. Unfortunately, this means that Father Mustos is is often representing His Eminence around the United States. Although his parish misses him on days like these, his tremendous work brings great pride to the community of St. Stephen’s.

Father Mustos’s enthusiasm began immediately after his arrival. Among Father's priorities was the renovation of the old convent so that its chapel could be used for daily mass. The building was also dedicated to St. Elizabeth of Hungary and became a home away from home for Hungarian children recuperating from heart surgery, under the Gift of Life Program sponsored by the Rotary Club. With Father's guidance and the work of some very dedicated parishioners, the program was very successful.

In an effort to strengthen our parish, Father Mustos avidly supports the weekend Hungarian School. Here, American-born Hungarian youngsters have an opportunity to learn about their cultural heritage as well as to practice the Hungarian language. Another organization dedicated to preserving our heritage, building character, and strengthening Christian values is the Hungarian scouting program. Through these worthwhile organizations, young people have an opportunity to perform many valuable services to the parish community.

Each year St. Stephen's plays host to the American Hungarian Museum Gala Ball held in our auditorium. The museum, dedicated to presenting programs dealing with Hungarian culture, has many interesting lectures, concerts, exhibits, and demonstrations throughout the year. These programs are presented in both English and Hungarian languages. Father has worked over the last decade to make music a central part of the liturgy and always stresses the importance of the choir because, as he says, „when one sings, he or she prays twice."

In 1991, Father Mustos established the Parish Council. Comprised of elected and appointed members of the parish, this group is the driving force of the church aiding the pastor in his administrative and spiritual duties, raising funds for the church, maintaining the buildings, organizing activities, and making life in the parish vibrant and enjoyable.

In 1994, St. Stephen’s celebrated its 90^th anniversary. The years that have since passed have been devoted to preparing for this Jubilee in 2003. Quite regularly, changes have been made, reminiscent of the renewal of Father Gáspár’s time. The main aisle of the church is now carpeted. The organ was restored in 1996. A new, golden processional cross was donated to the church in 1998 by the Staudinger family. A new baldachine was created by the parishioners to add to the beauty of liturgical processions.

In 1997, the basement of the church was emptied and cleaned. In 2000, these areas underneath the church, once ravaged by fire, were made into parish meeting rooms and the home of the Bishop László Irányi Memorial Library. In 2001, the bells of the church were restored and now ring everyday at 12:00 noon. The large exterior cross on the roof was restored in 2001 by parishioner Miklós Szamosszegi and once again stands as a beacon in Passaic of our church and its century long history of Hungarian-American Catholicism.

For decades, pastors and parishioners have been preparing in word and in deed for the church’s 100^th anniversary. Perhaps this sentiment began as just that, a dramatic feeling that they will do all that is necessary to survive, an ethnic parish in this often unethical world. However, their work and dedication to this little parish have made this dream a reality!

The Future

In March 1903, a small group of Hungarian-Americans gathered to declare their intention of forming a parish. They knew what they wanted but were not sure of what they would achieve. In May 2001, another small group of Hungarian-Americans gathered to declare their intention of celebrating 100 years of community. They knew what they wanted but were not sure what they would achieve. Like the group that met 100 years earlier, they knew they were dedicated to this cause, but were unsure of the amount of support they would receive from others. Like the group that met 100 years earlier, they are pleasantly satisfied. This day, the most significant in the life of this parish, could not have been achieved without the help of everyone: young and old, men and women of all trades giving of their talents, well-known and anonymous donors who would give of their time, money, and interest to support this celebration! Everyone’s effort is deeply appreciated!

At the turn of the 20^th century, Hungarian-Americans in Passaic had nothing. They worked hard, had little money, and little free time. It was very difficult to maintain a parish. After the turn of the 21^st century, Hungarian-Americans in Passaic and vicinity have much more. Many have nice jobs, homes, and cars, they send their children to college and live the American dream. Even today, when we seem to have so much, it is still very difficult to maintain a parish!

This is exactly why this Jubilee is so important. As a community, we need to join together and celebrate this milestone with each other. We need to follow the example of those who came before us by remembering that our faith needs to be in God and our strength needs to be in one another. If we keep this in mind, this chronicle will be read by those who come after us, preparing to celebrate the church’s 200^th anniversary!

Our 100^th Jubilee Mass will be held on April 27, 2003. Hundreds of people are anticipated to be there. However, these are not the only ones celebrating this eventful day, because it has taken many more people to make St. Stephen’s what it is today! Pastors and faithful, parents and children, hard-working parishioners and one-time guests over the course of 100 years have given our church the face it bears today. They will be joining us in spirit, in the same beautiful church, which celebrated the birth of Christ, on a cold Christmas Eve at midnight, in the black-and-white world of 1902. They will be joining us in spirit because they have helped create the community we know today! April 27^th and every day before it and after it is the day the Lord has made! Let us give thanks and be joyful in it!

     
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