The Cross of Christ
Evangelical Lutheran Congregation
Amenábar 1767 - Belgrano -
(C1426AKG) C. A. de Buenos Aires - Argentina
www.lacruzdecristo.com.ar
lacruzdecristo@gmail.com
Phone: (005411) 4783-6732

Fichero de Culto Nº 175
Personería Jurídica Concedida por Decreto Nº5936

Our history

Since 1928 untill 1945, pastor Ladislao Tomonkó atended in Argentina not just the Hungarians but also the Eslovakians in Buenos Aires, Rosario, Córdoba and Chaco provinces. Then pastor Tomonkó got ill and couldn't keep on serving the church members.
Since 1945 untill 1952, pastor Pedro Demes from the Calvinist Church, served also the lutherans and the calvinists, in join celebrations with strong dedication and love to the refugies, many of them not able to speak the lenguage of the country, without a house nor a permanent job. For these people it was very important to receive the encouragement of Faith. The encounter with each other and the pastor was very important.
Then the lutheran Hungarians asked for a lutheran pastor through the World Lutheran Federation and from Sweden arrived pastor Béla Lesko, born in Hungary and ordained also in this country. Sent to Sweden by the Bishop Lajos Ordas for a scolarship, because the war and its consecuences he couldn't come back to Hungary (with him were the pastors Jorge Posfay and Vilmos Vajta).
The community had their celebrations in temporary venues, first in Charcas street, then in Villa del Parque quarter and at last in the parsonage of Amenábar street, in Belgrano quarter, besides the lot where in 1957 first own shrine was consecrated.
Pastor Lesko was the first pastor of The Cross of Christ Congregation founded in 1952. Untill 1956 the congregation was conducted by Rev. Lesko. In 1956 arrived from USA the missionary Rev. Leslie von Hefty who finished his studies in Illinois. Pastor von Hefty arrived speaking pretty well spanish, that made its work easier. Inmediatly founded the Ladies Society, a very succesful organization that enjoyed strong support from the congregation. Besides, being pastor von Hefty Socouts Lider, he integrated quickly the scouts movement where taught to young Hungarians not just to be better citizens but also better christians.
In 1957 opened the Lutheran School of Theology of Joseph C. Peace and Béla Lesko was elected as its pastor dean, where five young men of Hungarian descent began their studies and helped in the work of the Cross of Christ congregation, while the pastor von Hefty visited other countries where the Hungarians gathered at least twice a year: he went to Paraguay, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay. In those sites were not Hungarian-speaking pastors.
In 1958 started the magazine Hitünk (Our Faith), as a regular publication of the Cross of Christ congregation.
In June 1973 a committee was formed to organize their work in Spanish. Several people pledged to help the pastor von Hefty in missionary work, having Mass every Sunday both in Hungarian and Spanish.
Besides these two Masses in the morning, in the afternoon Pastor von Hefty gave the Mass in Quilmes, in the German Lutheran Church. At first Masses in Quilmes were only in Hungarian, then began to read the readings in both languages and finally only in Spanish. Later he formed a congregation in Florencio Varela, Quilmes near. Purchased a land and with the help of the Cross of Christ congregation and funds from abroad, was built a living room, kitchen, two bathrooms and a parsonage.
In the The Cross of Christ were formed a choir with 20 people under the leadership of Szende and then continued under the direction of Professor Zwincz with great success.
In 1957 it was finished the building of the temple in 1767 Amenábar street, in Belgrano quarter, under the direction of Jeno Henrich. A modern building, but solemnly and with good acoustics. That's why we also offer regular concerts, as the building is very good for it.
In this year came from abroad refugees who fled Hungary after the revolution of October 23, 1956. The community received with great affection about 30 people.
In 1973 was celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the existence of what later became the Ladies Society (1953-1973). First came a small group Bible study, then added cultural, and social assistance mission to the nursing home in Pilar, Jose C. Paz and Chilavert (the three households with elderly Hungarians). The Ladies Society was also responsible for all the preparation for the Mass, the altar cloths and vestments, flowers and sacred vessels for the Eucharist.
Unfortunately, many Hungarian families changed their country, going to Peru, the U.S. and Europe. Over the time, the elders were dying. Losses were more deaths that new members by baptism and / or Confirmation. Another problem in Argentina was that the young Argentine who married non-Lutherans had to marry and raise their children in the Roman Catholic Church, because this was the requirement of the same to accept mixed marriages (before Vatican Concilio II ).
This is why young Hungarians married to Spanish-speaking people have not contributed to the growth of Spanish-speaking community of the congregation. There were exceptions but not many. However, the congregation continued to grow in Spanish-speaking activities continuously. Today all community activities take place in Spanish as the majority of its members and sympathizers are not of Hungarian origin. Anyway, once a month Pastor Andrew Demes (grandson of Pastor Peter Demes) comes from Olavarria to celebrate Mass in Hungarian and visiting the elderly at the Home of Chilavert.

These are the pastors of our parish:
Ladislao Tomonkó       (1928-1945)
Pedro Demes               (1945-1952)
Bela Leskó                  (1952-1956)
Leslie von Hefty           (1956-1961)
José Oscenas               (1961-1962)
Carlos Leskó               (1963-1971)
Leslie von Hefty           (1971-1991)
David Calvo                (1991-2001)
César Gogorza             (2001-2006)
William Stegemann       (2006-2007)
Octavio Burgoa            (since 2008)

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