[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 133 (Friday, September 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1584-E1585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     100TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT GEORGE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF 
                              SCHERERVILLE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2011

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor and enthusiasm 
that I congratulate Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church in 
Schererville, Indiana as its congregation joins together in celebration 
of its 100th Anniversary. The congregation, along with Parish Priest, 
Very Reverend Dobrivoje, and Parish President, Mr. Ray Vukas, will be 
celebrating this momentous milestone with a celebratory reception on 
Sunday, October 23, 2011, at the Halls of Saint George in Schererville, 
Indiana.
   Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church in Schererville is a sister 
church of Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church in East Chicago, 
Indiana. The parish was established on October 30, 1911, when a small 
group of immigrants from Serbia joined together with the goal of 
preserving Serbian culture and religious tradition. That same year, 
they obtained the services of a full-time priest and elected their 
first executive board. The dedication ceremony took place on Saint 
George's Day, May 6, 1912. Many of the Serbian families sacrificed and 
gave of their time to assist in building this tremendous place of 
worship. The church continued to grow, and in the 1920's, a small hall 
and the parish house were built on the church property. In 1949, 
construction began on a new banquet hall/social center which was 
completed a year later. Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church became the 
second Serbian Church in Indiana following the church built in South 
Bend.
   During its existence, Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church 
experienced many changes as its membership grew. These changes were not 
only physical changes to the church itself but also a religious schism 
within the Serbian Orthodox church that affected its followers. In 
1963, a decision from Belgrade regarding the church structure resulted 
in years of turmoil that divided Serbian Americans and the Serbian 
Orthodox Church into two groups. By 1970, some of the parishioners who 
chose to remain under the mother church in Belgrade, Serbia purchased 
property in Schererville, Indiana for a new church to be built. Within 
one year, a hall was completed, and by 1980, the new church and parish 
home were finished. In 1992, the church reunified and what remained 
from the division were many churches throughout the area spreading 
Serbian Orthodoxy. The church in Schererville continued to grow, 
building a hall, a new church, a parish home and a new banquet hall in 
Schererville.
   Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church continues to touch the lives of 
countless individuals through its compassionate service, especially to 
those in need. Over the years, the church has come to the aid of 
Serbian immigrants by providing food, shelter and assistance in finding 
employment. The church auxiliary group, Circle of Serbian Sisters, 
along with three other Circles of Serbian Sisters in Northwest Indiana, 
hold an annual fundraiser

[[Page E1585]]

called Mothers Against Hunger. This event raises tens of thousands of 
dollars for Serbian orphans in the former Yugoslavia. The St. George 
parish also supports donations to other charitable organizations such 
as the Carmelite Home in East Chicago. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and 
my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring and 
congratulating the Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church in 
Schererville, Indiana on its 100th Anniversary. Throughout many 
hardships and trials, the members of Saint George have dedicated 
themselves to preserving Serbian heritage, tradition, and spiritual 
beliefs. For their commitment to serving so many in need, the church 
leaders and congregation are to be admired and are worthy of the 
highest praise.

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