First Slovak Lutheran Church

[bluejay201]

Did not know this about the 1933 Fair wanting the church..
Joanie
...from Streator Daily Times-Press
Tuesday, March 14, 1933
FORMER LOCAL RESIDENT DIES AT PONTIAC
John Merrimack, Founder of Slovak Lutheran Church, South of City, Claimed
John Merrimack, former local resident, and one of the three original founders of the Slovak Lutheran church in Old No. 3, died today at his home in Pontiac, where he has resided for a number of years. His death followed an illness of long duration
Funeral services are to be held at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon from the church in Old No. 3, with Rev. John Daniel of this city in charge. Burial will be made in Moon Cemetery.
The decedent was born in Austria on October 15, 1852, coming to this country and settling in Streator when a young man. Fifty years of his life was devoted to coal mining in this locality. He was married 58 years ago to Helen Gosda of this city, who preceded him in death last year.
Surviving him are the following children, Charles of Pontiac, Mrs. Louise Shurr, and Mrs. Rose Jobst,, of Pontiac, George of Loda, Ill., and John of Chicago. He also leaves two sisters, Mrs Mary Ch?izmar of Indiana Harbor, Ind., and Mrs. Susie Havier of Lakefield, Minn.
Mr. Merrimack was well and favorably in Streator and vicinity, where many friends will learn of his passing with genuine sorrow. He was one of three men who built the historic Slovak Lutheran church which still stands in Old No.3, and which was the object of much attention recently on the part of Century of Progress officials. They sought to have it moved to the World's Fair grounds in Chicago, but Merrimack objected vigorously, and the request was denied. The church upon completion, had been donated to the congregation.

[galsal]

That is so interesting! Thanks for the story.

[DumDave]

Any idea of the location of this church & what happened to it? I do know that the EUB church that became the Grace UMC was started by German immigrants here in Streator. Check out it's corner stone.

[John]

Dave, this church is still standing. It is at 1807 Church St. in South Streator. It is still used for special services.

[DumDave]

Thanks John. I know exactly where it is now. Just did not know the history behind it.
-Dave

[dlynn]

I'm a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran church here in Streator.
The Old Number 3 on Church Street is part of our church and its origins. My niece was married in the church just a couple of years ago, so it is used. We hold about 3 to 4 services at the church a year. It is in its original state that I am aware of. It holds about 100 people, and the pulpit is up high off the alter. There has never been a bathroom in the church and it doesn't have a basement. I was told that the church was given its name, because it sits on the old number 3 Streator Mine. The Church was dedicated on October 5th, 1884. The Old number 3, Slovak Lutheran Church was claimed to be the second oldest Church of its kind in America. The oldest is that in Freeland, Pennsylvania, which was built just one year prior The Old Number 3. on 1883.

My great, great, great grandparents attended this church. Slovak immigrants of the Lutheran Faith came to the mining town here in Streator about 1876. Many of them were very poor and owned nothing more than the clothes they wore. They were young and industrious and accustomed to hard work. As a result they found immediate work in the coal mines. Each year more and more arrived in Streator and in 1881 there were at least 40 family's.
In their native land they had been accustomed to worshiping in their own churches. When they arrived here they didn't' have a church, or minister to serve their needs. From 1879 on they met in the homes where they read the service. Finally in 1882 they resolved to call a minister from their native land and contact was made with the Rev. Cyril Droppa in Slovakia.

Rev. Droppa served Holy Trinity Lutheran Church from 1884 until 1887 when he left to serve the Slovak Lutheran Church in Freeland, Pennsylvania. The Pastor at the Freeland church, Rev. Karol Horack came to serve the Streator Sloviks.

I'm thankful that this Church has never been torn down. The History and its origins can be handed down from generation to generation.