Our Lady of Hungary

Parish History

OLH began in 1916 as a mission of St. Stephen's Parish, became an independent parish under Fr. Geza Gyorfy in 1921, was moved to Calvert Street in 1923, and built its present church in 1948–49. The school and Sisters' home were added in 1927 and staffed by the Daughters of Divine Charity through 1993. Monsignor John S. Sabo led the parish for 45 years (1935–1980), and the building's distinctive Roman-style art was added in 1961.

• 1916: Founded as a mission of St. Stephen's Parish on Catalpa Street near Prairie Avenue
• 1921: Established as an independent parish by Bishop Herman Alerding; Rev. Geza Gyorfy first pastor
• 1923: Building moved to current West Calvert Street location after Studebaker purchase
• 1924: Rectory built
• 1927: School and Sisters' home built; Daughters of Divine Charity teach here 1927–1993
• 1935: Father John Sabo (later Monsignor Sabo) becomes second pastor
• 1948–1949: Present church built; dedicated Dec. 18, 1949; first Mass Christmas Day 1949
• 1961: Father Peter Prokop paints the Roman-style frescoes and altarpiece triptych
• 1968: New parish offices added
• 1980: Monsignor Sabo retires; Father Benjamin Landrigan is current pastor

The Church Building & Art

The current OLH church, dedicated in 1949, is the spiritual heart of the parish and houses one of the more distinctive Catholic interiors in the South Bend area. In 1961 Father Peter Prokop, a priest from Rome, came to the parish and painted the frescoes that still dominate the front of the church.

• Altarpiece: a triptych of Our Lady of Hungary with scenes of her life on the wings
• Large altar frescoes representing the 150th Psalm
• Pilasters depicting the four evangelists
• Two flat side images: St. Emeric (the Americas' namesake saint) and the Sacred Heart
• Stained glass windows of all 39 saints of the Canon of the Mass, plus local saints: St. Stephen, St. Emeric, St. Elizabeth, and St. Anthony of Padua (patron of the Burgenland-Austrian segment of the parish)
• Tower stained glass window in memory of OLH men in World War I, with the insignia of their units
• Sacristy windows depicting pastors and longtime assistants: Fr. Geza Gyorfy, Fr. Martin Horvath, Msgr. John S. Sabo, and Fr. Anthony Molnar
• Stations of the Cross painted by Elizabeth Kormendi
• Statue of Christ the Light of the World by Eugene Kormendi (modeled on the one in Washington, D.C.)
• St. Michael statue atop the Purple Heart Memorial Tower on the south side

Music Ministry

The music ministry at Our Lady of Hungary is described by the parish itself as 'extremely versatile,' weaving traditional hymns, contemporary songs, mariachi, and todos los cantos de la iglesia en español into one vibrant tapestry. The English choir is directed by Sharon Priemer and Jim Bankowski, while the Spanish-language coro is led by Alan Jacquez and serves the Tuesday evening Mass and Holy Hour as well as both Sunday Spanish Masses. Those interested in helping are invited to stop upstairs after Sunday Mass.

• Our Lady of Hungary Choir (English Sunday 10 AM Mass) — directors Sharon Priemer & Jim Bankowski
• Spanish Coro — director Alan Jacquez; serves Tuesday 5:30 PM Mass/Holy Hour and both Sunday Spanish Masses
• Mariachi music among the parish's musical offerings

Parish Ministries & Liturgical Roles

The parish lists a wide circle of ministries that have brought parishioners together for many years and helped keep the parish alive, from liturgical roles (Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers) to devotional societies and school-linked groups. Training is provided for new liturgical ministers, and returning ministers are expected to attend a yearly retreat or day of reflection.

• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
• Lectors
• Altar Servers
• Sacred Heart, Rosary & St. Anne Society
• Legion of Mary
• Holy Name Association
• St. Vincent de Paul Society
• Home and School Association
• OLH Alumni Association
• OLH Youth Group

Our Lady of Hungary School

OLH Grade School is a Catholic private elementary school on the same Calvert Street campus as the parish, enrolling students from pre-K through 8th grade. The school is committed to providing a quality, Christian education in a caring, culturally diverse environment, with a vision of being a family-oriented school with high expectations, well-rounded spiritual, academic, and emotional growth, and an atmosphere where all students are welcomed and celebrated.

• Grades served: Pre-K through 8th grade
• Address: 735 W. Calvert St., South Bend, IN 46613
• Phone: 574-289-3272
• Principal: Mrs. Francisca Flores ([email protected])
• School secretaries: Viola Ramsay and Jeanne Lopez
• Office hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–3:30 PM
• Mission: 'a quality, Christian education, in a caring, culturally diverse environment'
• Vision: 'a family-oriented school… well-rounded spiritual, academic, and emotional growth'

Parish Mission & Identity

Our Lady of Hungary Parish states that, as a community, it 'draws our spiritual strength and power from the Eucharistic Presence of our Lord,' is devoted to Mary the mother of the Son of God and to her rosary, strives for holiness and peace in families, and — empowered by the Holy Spirit — seeks to bring the message of the Holy Gospel to everyone in the parish and surrounding community.

Staff & Contact

The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, at 731 W. Calvert Street. The pastor is reachable directly by email, and the parish secretary handles general inquiries. The school office is open Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–3:30 PM.

• Pastor: Father Benjamin Landrigan — [email protected]
• Parish Secretary: Emily Gutierrez — [email protected]
• Parish Office Address: 731 W. Calvert St., South Bend, IN 46613
• Parish Phone: 574-287-1700
• Parish Office Hours: M–F 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
• School Principal: Mrs. Francisca Flores — [email protected]
• School Secretaries: Viola Ramsay ([email protected]), Jeanne Lopez ([email protected])
• School Office Hours: M–F 7:30 AM–3:30 PM

Diocese & Region

Our Lady of Hungary Parish belongs to the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, under the pastoral care of Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades. Within the diocese, OLH is part of Vicariate B (South Bend–South), led by Vicar Rev. Jason Freiburger, and sits alongside other South Bend parishes including St. Adalbert, St. Anthony de Padua, St. Augustine, St. Casimir, St. Hedwig, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph, St. Jude, St. Matthew Cathedral, St. Patrick, St. Stanislaus, and St. Therese Little Flower.