[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 124 (Thursday, September 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. NICHOLAS CROATIAN BYZANTINE 
                                 CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 2002

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor, recognition and 
celebration of the 100th Anniversary Celebration of St. Nicholas 
Croatian Byzantine Church in Cleveland, Ohio.
  St. Nicholas Church has been a significant spiritual, cultural and 
historical anchor for Croatian immigrants for one hundred years. In 
1902, fifty families, who had recently immigrated to Cleveland from 
Croatia founded St. Nicholas Church. Father Mile Golubic arrived in the 
United States to celebrate first Divine Liturgy in an old building 
converted to accommodate liturgical services in spring of 1902. 
Parishioners, though very poor financially, were wealthy in spirit, 
hope and determination. Parishioners and church leaders kept St. 
Nicholas Church alive through their generous donations and 
volunteerism.
  In 1913, after years of challenges and difficulties for the fledgling 
church, members collected enough money to purchase a church building on 
the corner of East 36th Street and St. Clair—where St. Nicholas 
Church remains to this day.
  St. Nicholas Church has endured many changes over the past hundred 
years. The membership has increased considerably, and the church itself 
has been rebuilt and restored. Yet from its simplest beginnings as a 
group of Croatian immigrants—connected by faith, family, a past 
in Croatia and a future in America. The dreams, hopes, vision, and 
generous hearts that defined the founding members of St. Nicholas 
Church in the early days, carried the Church through a century, and 
remains the same today.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor, recognition and 
celebration of St. Nicholas Croatian Byzantine Catholic Church, on the 
momentous and happy occasion of their 100th Anniversary. May St. 
Nicholas Church, and its leaders and parishioners, continue their 
dedication to the enhancement of the spiritual, historical and cultural 
life of Croatian Americans, which continues to enhance our entire 
community.

                          ____________________