[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13302-13303]
[From the U.S. 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

[[Page 13303]]

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 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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