“The whole three year project — everything — every single thing we’re trying to do has something to do with the community. So finally, when we put out the sign saying ‘all welcome’ we’ll mean it,” said Rev. Dr. Maria Lallouet, minister of the rechristened Community Church in Welland, Ont.
In November 2008, with the blessing of Niagara presbytery, the congregation discarded their former name — Hungarian — and became Community.
It was the beginning of an ambitious three-year “church makeover” which started with renovations to the sanctuary, to be followed by the fellowship hall, kitchen and church grounds. The changes are intended to make the 1960s-era building more useful for community groups, bands, choirs and organizations. But Lallouet says the physical inside-out transformation began with a spiritual one.
The Hungarian congregation was founded in 1927 at a time when immigration rates were high and newcomers created self-contained communities. Following World War I, large numbers of Hungarian immigrants moved to Welland hoping to work on canal construction or in other local industries. Subsequent waves of immigrants following World War II and the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 joined the growing community. By the 1960s, 20 per cent of Welland’s population was Hungarian.
But Hungarian immigration has dropped off in intervening decades, and many newcomers try to learn English as quickly as possible to integrate into the community. Although the church offers an English service each week, non-Hungarian residents did not think of coming to a Hungarian church, Lallouet said.
The church is located in an older and poorer region of the city — an area hard-hit by the loss of manufacturing jobs in the region.
She noted that the congregation was aging and many active members were growing tired. “We needed to grab something that would give people strength to feel that yes, there is a need in the community for this church and yes, we can help the community if we do these changes — if we change ourselves. So the first change is to the inside — not just to the building, but also to people’s hearts.”
Spiritual gift inventories revealed strong gifts of hospitality among members of the congregation. They hope to translate this into a weekly “meet and eat” program that will run on weekdays. Homemade meals will be served in the hall, and diners are welcome to pay what they feel is appropriate, or what they can afford.
“I think we, as a church, made a huge mistake by sending people away to soup kitchens to eat. Jesus never did that. One of the favourite words of Jesus was ‘come.’ So that’s what we are trying to do — create a place where people can come.”
Jim Szeplaki, clerk of session, recognized the difficulties that the program could pose. “I’m not sure if anyone is willing to cater without receiving payment — or much of it — and the idea of having all races and walks of people join together for food sounds great, but getting the exposure to make it successful will be difficult.” Nonetheless, he said the ideas behind the makeover are good and the congregation is unified in its support for the project.
He is particularly fond of a fountain installed near the front of the sanctuary. It is part of a small spirituality centre, a space set aside for quiet meditation, reflection and prayer. Szeplaki said he would like to see it become a prayer pond complete with fish and lilies.
In 2010, the congregation hopes to create a memorial garden on their one-acre lot. Plans for it include a labyrinth, benches, a mural painted by local high school students, and an area to serve tea and coffee during the summer months.
Among other dreams for the future, Lallouet would like to see the church host a Christian music festival and become a home for community choirs and bands.
The plan is ambitious and money is uncertain, she admits, but she believes “the money will follow the mission.” Letters to local businesses have yielded donations of paint and other supplies, and fundraising events have helped cover costs.
“If we do this we could change the whole community, and if we don’t do this we die,” she said. “So we will offer the beautiful place we have to the community.”
