The history of church

We have no data about the foundation of church but it's probable that it was established as far back as 1570. In the XVI.th century the village became Unitarian at Szovats possessors, at the Suky's influence. In the XVII.th century was a vigorous congregation, this fact was justified on chalices inscription dated back to that period: 1625. 1636 - In honor of one God - two communion chalices –

The inscription on the silver communion plate dated back to 1644 which was also donated in honor of one God and mentioned the name of minister from that time: Varadi Janos.  We have no data about congregation's history from XVI.th century.

 By Mihaly Antonya was probable that in Suky and Petrichevich families archives were important data concerning Lower and Upper Szovat's past. The Sukys and later the Petrichevich-Horvath families were the supporters of Unitarian Church in Szovat. Laszlo Suky the benefactor of Unitarian Church renovated the church at his own cost in 1790. He had made pulpit, crown, ceiling and an entrance in front of doors. This was necessary because the pointed arches of church slackened. They demolished the pointed arch and replaced it with another ceiling, to reduce the pressure, what pressed heavily the wall. On the pulpit, made by Laszlo Suky, as was already mentioned, were the names of minister and curator of that time Gyorgy Bako and Balint Kun.

 Gyorgy Bako's ministry was remarkable from many reasons. On his 18 years ministry began a dynamical evolution of the church. He was the first who began the direction of register of births, marriages and deaths from 1787.  During his ministry was built a new vicarage, which was demolished in 1892 and a new one was built (today's), which was and still is imposing up to now. During his ministry was also built the cantor's house, (it was burnt down in 1899).

Mihaly Antonya's manuscript mentioned that Gyorgy Bako was from Bolon and it was minister until  11 March 1803. The vicarage was extended during Istvan Sandor's ministry.

Miklos Molnar 's ministry was also remarkable and his memory was mentioned repeatedly. From four boys of him 3 of them were ministers and one was the church's  legal adviser. The names of  his minister sons were Miklos, Janos, and Albert. During his ministry was the Hungarian War of independence (1848), from which Mihaly  Antonya wrote the followings:" On that period came hard times for congregation and most of all for Hungarian people. Namely the gangster hand from neighboring Romanian villages thronged the village in large numbers and devastated everything what they found on their way.  Their rage was directed against the leaders. The minister of that time Miklos Molnar could hardly save his own and his sons life. In consequence of this event many data and memories were destroyed.  In 2000 the church put up a sepulcher for him and his wife, hopefully we could consecrate in 2001.

His successor Mozes Pal was minister from 8 May 1853 until 24 April 1889.  "A passionate farmer” who taught the adults writing, reading, and counting. During his time started the public school in 1885. A year later in 1886 from public contributions bought the organ with 200 forint. In 1907 with the Orszagh brothers made a new pneumatically organ, so the old one donated to the church in Kide. In 1886 from congregation's generosity the church was improved and was put a new roof on it. In 1790 was rebuilt the roof structure, first time they covered the church with shingle. Mozes Pal died on 28 March 1892 in Vargyas. (Tamas Balazs found his grave in cemetery of Vargyas at the occasion of the council from 1999 )

Mihaly Dezsi was the congregation's minister between 1889-1903. He was an eminent speaker, devouted fighter for public affairs who was interested in literature. He wrote articles and short stories, which he published them as "Cheerful stories". Some of his religious poems were also published. During his time was built this day's vicarage in 1892.  In burnt cantor house's place in that year was built a new one, which was up to now use for communal purposes and meetings (conventions). He made the list of ministers in Szovat and to his request the E.M.K.E (an association) donated a library for village. After 14 years ministry he retired because of illness in 1903 (died on 28 Aug 1908). On 28 June 1903 Mihaly Antonya, came from Homorodalmas, was minister until 1 Oct. 1948.  In spite of unfavorable circumstances during his ministry he could create many lasting thing with the help of congregation, who mentioned his memory even today with respect.   It's enough to  recall the first and second World War with its damages and human losses from that time.

Hungary's mutilation and Transilvania's connection to Romania and the spreading of

communism with the Soviet's help.  In spite all of these succeeded in doing fasting things with devoted faith and firm persistence.  Here are some important facts from that period:

- The village: Lower Szovat and Upper Szovat became Hungarian Szovat in 1905

- In 1907 they made a new organ

- In 1900 was built a stable (cowshed) and shed

- In 1902 was built a summer kitchen

- Instead of old bells, which cracked in 1905 - 1907 and made new ones in 1907 (in 1916 the little bell was taken for military purposes, - in place of that was made a new, 237 kg's bell in 1958.

- In 1921 was built up the Unitarian school and till the nationalization the church operated it continuously.

- In 1925 took place the renovation of church. At this moment came to light the frescos. The walls were consolidated and the church was recovered and plastered inside and outside the church. The entrance from the south side was rebuilt in 1904.

After Mihaly Antonya's retire on 1 Oct. 1948,  Ferenc Balint became the minister from 1 Dec. 1948.  In 1958 was made the little 237-kg's bell. Being a conscientious "good shepherd" for congregation the communist power imprisoned him and his fellows in 1959 and submitted them to physical and mental torture. After his release he performed ministry in Kolozs until his death (1992.)  

From spring 1959 until Sept. Arpad Szabo bishop; - secretary at that time, who was minister in Kolozsvar - was charged to give sermons in Szovat. From 1 Sept. 1959 Gyorgy Andrasi as a supply assistant minister did the ministry until 1960, when he had to go for military services. From that time Ferenc Tompa theological student did the ministry until 15 Sept 1960.

From 18 Sept. 1960 Andras Pataki was the Unitarian minister in Szovat until his death. (4 Sept. 1992).  His three decennial ministry passed in the spirit of progress till the, revolution from 1989.  The congregation chose him as minister in 1962.  In 1966 and 1967 took place the renovation of church, the fixing of walls and on 5 Aug. 1967 the consecration. After many efforts the church 's deck was recovered with shingles in 1971-1972.  In 1973 was made a concrete fence  around the church and in 1974 was changed the fence from cantor's house.  In 1976 was changed the fence at the vicarage yard. In 1977 was fenced in the cemeteries and was also invited the General Assembly, (since then in every seventh vear is invited).  In 1981 was installed the electricity in church.  In 1982 was fixed the organ from public contribution.

In 1987 was replastered the church from inside and the General Assembly was invited again.

In   1978  the number of congregation  was   1469   - most of  them  must  have lived   in Kolozsvar.

In 1990 the families of Sandor Toth and Istvan Dezso made new doors and windows at the entrance.    

In 1991 was made the bathroom and a tile stove in vicarage from foreign donation. In Sept. 1991 the church got back 4,20 ha field at the Paphegy (minister's hillside). In   1992 from public contributions the church bought shingle, but the covering with shingle started just in Oct., because the remarkable Andras Pataki died on 4 Sept  1992.

From 1 March 1993 Lajos Kovacs, the bishop of that time, appointed Tamas Balazs as minister in Szovat. Both, the condition of buildings and Church's financial situation were in a bad condition, dejected. The 1\4 of church was recovered with shingle and at the vicarage among 2 bookshelves, boxes, and 2 typewriter were: 1 writing table, 3 backed chair, 3 ash tray, a few glasses, a burned out stove and 2 useless tile stoves. The boiler from the bathroom was cracked. The debt of church was also big: the pay of 8 month for ex minister's widow, and the payment for cantor. The visits he paid to families had a surprise in store: from 1041 people were just 837 -and from these: 260 people lived in Kolozsvar. “In spite all of these I am thankful to God and to the congregation, I can say I am lucky they come to church regularly, for their generosity and faithfulness." In 1993 succeeded the recovering with shingle, the plastering and whitening the church from inside. The church managed to put up a sepulcher (tombstone) for Andras Pataki. In 1994 the congregation played together the Passion. Thanks to Judith Gellerd the partner church from Bellingham accepted Szovat as partner church. The vicarage's roof and the whole buildings were painted from inside and outside.

In the vicarage, at cantor, at bell - ringer houses we finished installing gas pipes and 1/3 of expenses were given from E.K.T (Representative council).

On 4th Sept. together with the Calvinist Church celebrated the first village meeting, on which the partner church from Hajdu-Bihar county of Hungarian Republic: Hajduszovat was also present. On behalf of Hajduszovat in summer 1994 received our group of pupils what we returned, too in 1995.  In 1995 was underduged the cantor's house, strengthened the walls and plastered them from inside and outside.

The Women Association was formed, which since then every winter made traditional fancywork, mostly homespun. This decorates our church and the church of Bellingham. In July a delegation from 4 members visited us and in their honor the Women Association among the fancywork gifts furnished a "museum-room" from homespun and traditional dress.   From money-gift received from the American partner church we set tile stoves in one room at the vicarage, in meeting room, and at the Women Association's room. We fixed the organ in 1996 from the same dollar donation. We celebrated the 2nd successful Village meeting. From the donation of 38 families we made new pews and from Istvan Bodor's donation we made new windows in church. It had happened the sewerage installation at bell - ringer's house and for the General Assembly's reception we made new fences and repainted our buildings: the church and meeting room from outside. Among these in 1997 we placed new doors and windows at bell ringer house and made new porch, floor and ceiling. In 1998 we changed the porch and electricity at the vicarage. In 1999 took place the whole renovation of belfry, the painting of fences at the vicarage and bell ringer house. We started rebuilding the summer kitchen and placed tiles in offices. We celebrated the 3rd Village meeting in the spirit of millennium and we finished Miklos Molnar's and his wife's tombstones, (who's ministry was during the Hungarian War of Independence 1848).  We placed a baking stove and roofed in the kitchen. Thanks to Hungary we could fix the frescos.  For the moment from 658 people 63 don't live in Szovat. Although most of funds for work between  1995-2000 were given from Bellingham. Our Unitarian congregation gave financial assistance to those who asked our support. In 1993-2000 we helped congregations and supported them in school affairs, supported the flood victims and gave help for the Hungarians in St. Laszlo and in Sub-Carpathia. Among these we helped 3 families from Szovat. Although the Unitarian congregation of Szovat lives an exemplary, moral life unfortunately characteristic of village like in all Unitarian villages is the decrepitism. (decrepit people).  From 658 people just 36 are pupils and because of lack of pupils in 1996 and this year didn't take place the confirmation. Hopefully this will never happen and we also hope in January 2001 we would get back the 5 ha field  …

In 2001 with the occasion of our Thanks Giving Day our church was presented with a "kőrösfői" style wood carved collection box and Bible support. The old electrical equipment of the parsonage was replaced with a new and the whole building including the minister's office was painted. We continued the renovation of the summer kitchen, the ceiling and the floor has been replaced.

Three members of our partner church the Bellingham Unitarian Universalist Church visited on July 6-11. They brought the money that has been sent by our partners for which we are thankful. The money has been used to finance our renovation works.

In 2002 we equipped the organ with an electrical organ-blower. In the church the Lord's Table has been decorated with new tablecloth and the pulpit with a new cloth. The old cantor's house has been redecorated with new furniture: pews, tables and chandeliers. Our German friends from Potsdam presented us with an electrical organ. In February was organized in our congregation the Conference of the Lay Leaders of the Unitarian Church. Many distinguished guests attended the Conference like bishop Dr. Arpad Szabo. No doubt the major achievement was the forming of the new bathroom.

In 2003 we continued the mending of the cantor's house, replacing the old electrical equipment with a new one and making outdoor and indoor reparations. Our German friends from Potsdam presented the Women's Association with a sewing-machine and dishes. They also brought for the congregation a sawing-machine and wardrobes.

The minister and his two children added a new room next to the office enlarging in this way the parsonage. In the first Sunday of October we started a new custom to celebrate the people over 80 years old. We call this celebration "The Old People's Sunday." In this year we succeed to make a sidewalk and a 150m long whir fence.

In 2004 we decorated the hymnbooks with traditional star motives handwork covers. We bought over 80 new hymnbooks and made a new wreath of wheat that we place in the church.

The year of 2005 was a hard one. A lot of flood affected different parts of the world and our country. We collected lots of money for the Asian Tsunami's victims. Short after the flood disaster followed in Banat, western region of Transylvania. Right after the flood damaged the Unitarian church in Nagyenyed. We collected and sent an important amount of money to help our brothers and sisters to save their church and parsonage. The next flood was in the Nyiko valley, populated mostly by Unitarians. We collected and sent 20 tones of cereals to help the disaster's victims.

Meanwhile we succeed to lime wash the church walls, to make a heating stove, and covered the pews with sitting pillows.

With the occasion of the confirmation we celebrated those who have confirmed 50, 25 and 20 years ago.

On July 31 we organized the 4th meeting of the Unitarians from Magyarszovat. With this occasion we inaugurated the monument of the victims of World War II.

From the money received from Bellingham we bought a CD player for our Youth association. I presented the documentation for request of 34 ha of land and for the 80 ms that used to be our old Unitarian school, and a 0,26 ha of built territory that now is used by the local council and an Association for consumers.

2006 was the elections year in our congregation, when we elect the new lay president and the board of trustees. Since January we have a new lay president: Bodor Istvan. The good news is that most members of the board are younger than the minister.

Before the spring works began we succeed to change the roof of the old cantor's house. Hopefully by the Thanks Giving Day we will be finished the isolation of the shingle of the church roof.

In the present we are 496 Unitarians and most of it are old and ill people, but their strong faith and devotion makes to fill the over 700 years old church every Sunday.

Sad to say that there are no children this year to confirmation. Next year there will be confirmation and we'll celebrate those who have confirmed 50, 25 and 20 years ago.

We will celebrate the Old People's Sunday and we prepare to the General Assembly of the Kolozs-Torda Unitarian Church District, which will take place in Magyarszovat.

Magyarszovat, August 20. 2006.       

Rev. Tamás Balázs