Benő Haypál, minister of the Reformed Church and “the Freemason with a Bible”

Abstract

Benő Haypál lived from 1869 to 1926. From 1896 until his death, he was the minister of the Calvinist community of Buda, one of the congregations of the Hungarian capital. He was an excellent preacher and became well-known and respected all over the country. During his chaplaincy, the newly established congregation developed considerably. Haypál became a Freemason in 1903. In 1911, he participated in the foundation of the Sas (Eagle) masonic lodge and was its leader, its Prime Master for many years. In 1912, he published a volume entitled “A Freemason with a Bible”, which included five speeches that he gave at freemasonic events. The speeches prove that he could match his devout Christian faith with his activity as a freemason.