[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 26626-26627]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    ST. SAVA SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 3, 2009

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great honor and enthusiasm 
that I congratulate Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church as they join 
together in celebration of their 95th anniversary. The parishioners, 
along with Parish Priest, Father Marko Matic, and Parish President, Mr. 
Dennis Svilar, will be celebrating this very momentous occasion on 
Sunday, November 8, 2009. Festivities will begin with Divine Liturgy, 
followed by a banquet and program featuring Mr. Nicholas Chabraja as 
the guest speaker. This special event will take place at Saint Elijah 
Hall in Merrillville, Indiana.
  Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, which was founded in Gary, 
Indiana, and is now located in Merrillville is one of the Midwest's 
oldest parishes. The tradition of Saint Sava's is well-known throughout 
Northwest Indiana because of the continued efforts of the clergy and 
parishioners over the past 95 years to perpetuate the Serbian Orthodox 
faith and traditions. In 1914, the founders proclaimed the mission of 
their new church before the Secretary of State in Indianapolis, 
Indiana. Their mission is as follows: ``The purpose of this parish is 
to preach the Word of God (the Lord Jesus) and take spiritual care of 
its members; to spread goodness, justice, brotherly love, and respect 
among its members.''
  Named for Saint Sava, the first Archbishop of the Serbian church, 
Saint Sava's first formal church-school congregation was organized in 
1914, followed by the first church in 1915. From there, the 
parishioners built the first church and school on 20th Avenue and 
Connecticut Street in Gary. Through difficult economic times, the 
parishioners at Saint Sava continued with their mission, and after the 
Great Depression, the parish built an even larger church, school, and 
parish hall on 13th Avenue and Connecticut in Gary in order to 
accommodate their rapidly growing membership. This building remained 
until a devastating fire consumed it in February of 1978, causing Saint 
Sava's to quickly relocate to a newly constructed chapel in a parish 
hall they had built years earlier. This hall, located in Hobart, 
Indiana, had been utilized as a place for summer meetings and family 
picnics.
  From 1978 until 1991, Saint Sava's Liturgy continued to be performed 
in the Hobart chapel. However, it was during this time that longtime 
parish priest, Very Reverend Father Jovan Todorovich, and the church 
board began to assemble ideas for the construction of a new church. 
With Father Todorovich's leadership and committed efforts, as well as 
the vast efforts of many parishioners, the people of Saint Sava were 
able to move into their current place of worship. In May of 1991, the 
parish celebrated a ``new beginning'' when a brand new building was 
constructed. This magnificent building opened in Merrillville, where 
relics which survived the fire were blessed and installed into the new 
church. Today, Saint Sava's members continue to

[[Page 26627]]

gather there to worship and to celebrate, as well as to continue with 
the mission of their founding members.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in honoring and congratulating Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox 
Church on their 95th anniversary. Throughout many hardships and trials, 
the members of Saint Sava have dedicated themselves to providing a 
spiritual and guiding light through the protection of the Serbian 
Orthodox faith and traditions for all of Northwest Indiana. Their 
constant dedication and commitment is worthy of the highest 
commendation.

                          ____________________