Rev. Joseph S. Gyorog
Reverend Joseph S. Gyorog was born on December 16, 1909, in Unterwart, Austria. As a young man, he apprenticed as a cabinetmaker, a trade that later helped him support his family financially. He immigrated to Canada at the age of 19. While working on a farm, he was influenced by his family's religious life, and he committed his life to Jesus Christ, immediately feeling the call to become a pastor. The Rev. and Mrs. J.S. Domm in Macoun, Canada, invited Joseph to live with them and effectively became his adopted parents.
After completing his high school education, he attended the Yorkton Collegiate. He went on to graduate from the Winnipeg Bible Institute in June 1944. He served as a pastor in Canada from 1944 to 1949.
In 1949, Rev. Gyorog was called to the Second German Congregational Church in Portland. He and his wife, Elsie, along with their daughter Ruth and son Frederick, soon moved to Portland. Rev. Gyorog served the Second German church until 1958.
In 1958, Rev. Gyorog accepted a call from the Ebenezer First German Congregational Church in Portland and served there until his unexpected death in 1984. He was the last full-time pastor of this church.
Elsie Gyorog died on November 15, 2015, and a memorial service was held at Rivercrest Community Church. She was buried beside Rev. Gyorog at the Rose City Cemetery in Portland.
After completing his high school education, he attended the Yorkton Collegiate. He went on to graduate from the Winnipeg Bible Institute in June 1944. He served as a pastor in Canada from 1944 to 1949.
In 1949, Rev. Gyorog was called to the Second German Congregational Church in Portland. He and his wife, Elsie, along with their daughter Ruth and son Frederick, soon moved to Portland. Rev. Gyorog served the Second German church until 1958.
In 1958, Rev. Gyorog accepted a call from the Ebenezer First German Congregational Church in Portland and served there until his unexpected death in 1984. He was the last full-time pastor of this church.
Elsie Gyorog died on November 15, 2015, and a memorial service was held at Rivercrest Community Church. She was buried beside Rev. Gyorog at the Rose City Cemetery in Portland.
Rev. and Elsie Gyorog courtesy of Dale and Ruth Hunter. Courtesy of Elsie Gyorog.
Sources
Krieger, Joanne, trans. "History of the Ebenezer German Congregational Church." Ebenezer Congregational Church, Portland, Oregon 1909-1984. Portland, OR: n.p., 2002. 433-36. Print.
Last updated October 7, 2025