History
of the Loyal Order
The year 1947 saw the establishment of “Loyal
Order of St. Sava”. Its purpose was to create
a fellowship among the male contingent of the
Serbian colony of Milwaukee. Many of the precepts
of the order were from the guiding hand of the
late Father Milan Brkich.
A charter was prepared by Attorney George S.
Stupar in July 1947. The Articles of Declaration
were filed with the Wisconsin Department of State
on October 20, 1947 and filed with Milwaukee County
on November 21, 1947. The original twenty signers
are listed on a separate page of the Charter.
They are:
Michael
Babich
Louis R. Goronja
Sam Crnojevich
Emil Crnovich
Peter Pavlovich
Vladimir Grubor
Steve M. Covic
Stephen Knezevich
George Popovich
Milan Medich |
George
R. Rasich
Emil Rakovich
Marko Rakovich
Dushan Stoisolovich
George Stoisolovich
Steve Stoisolovich
Emil Subotich
Peter Subotich
Steve Subotich
Nick Kapetanich |
The first elected president of Loyal Order was
our late brother Louis Goronja. Since then the
Loyal Order has had 29 Presidents.
Throughout it’s history, Loyal Order of
St. Sava has sponsored a wide variety of “people,
programs, and projects”.
A) Smokers were held starting in 1970. The funds
raised were to send boys to altar boy retreats,
youths to summer camp in Libertyville, youth basketball
and soccer teams and scholarships.
B) When our Cathedral was getting its first mosaics
in 1977, Loyal Order was there providing the Old
Testament mosaics on the northeast wall. The Loyal
Order assisted recently with the addition of mosaics
in the choir loft. We also provided the stained
glass windows in the choir loft when the Cathedral
was built.
C) In addition to the mosaics and stain glass
windows, Loyal Order funded the installation of
air conditioning, new carpeting, altar table,
update to the baptismal room and the sound system
in the Cathedral.
D) The Cultural Center Building Fund was started
in 1970. Loyal Order sponsored a Club Room, which
was also used as a Sunday School classroom. For
the addition to the Cultural Center in 2004, Loyal
Order contributed a substantial amount of money.
E) In 1960, the Loyal Order started a scholarship
fund for our young Serbian Orthodox students.
According to our records the first scholarships
were handed out in the 1960's. To date Loyal Order
has given out $152,865 to our Serbian Orthodox
students to further their education at the university
level. An application can be obtained each year
in the Church Office in January. The scholarships
are awarded at the Annual Lenten Dinner and Scholarship
Program. Loyal Order has also donated Scholarships
to our Theological students in Libertyville and
St. Vladimirs.
F) Loyal Order has sponsored , funded or worked
for the following: Published the first telephone
directory; provided candy for the children at
the St. Sava programs; bronze plaque at the base
of the American flag pole in the Memorial park
which honors our deceased military; European building
Serbian village at the Milwaukee Public Museum;
Diocese Fund; Bishop Nikolaj Fund; purchased a
large-screen TV and VCR for use by our Sunday
School; ads and donations to local organizations
as well as to neighboring Serbian church groups;
and supports the Serbian Orthodox Parochial school
as a Great Benefactor.
Since the conflict in our homeland has displaced
so many families, we have sponsored six orphans;
four through the Eastern Diocese Relief Fund,
and two (a brother and sister) on our own, whom
we support. We have, also, contributed to the
General Relief Fund in other ways such as sending
shoes, clothing and money.
In order to raise money to sponsor all of these
events, we have held the following: annual summer
picnic; spaghetti luncheon; Loyal Order Memorial
Golf Tournament; jewelry sales at craft shows;
raffles; bingo games; sports nights; art fairs;
light bulb sales and Christmas trees.
We have provided a rather large work force for
our Cathedral’s Annual Serbian Days. When
asked, we have also helped the Circle of Serbian
Sisters and Stevan Sijacki Choir. We have contributed
to and sponsored virtually any church affiliated
organization that has made a request.
In conclusion, let us say the Loyal Order is
always there to lend a helping hand whether it
be spiritual, physical, or financial.
NOTE: The foregoing was compiled from Loyal Order
minutes, various communications and acute memory,
as published in the Loyal Order of St. Sava 50th
Anniversary Celebration program. Any omissions
of substance is not intentional.
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