Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church (Jackson, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church |
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| Pravoslavna crkva svetog Save Православна црква светог Саве |
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Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church
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| Location | Jackson, California |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Serbian Orthodox |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Sava |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Western America |
The Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church (Serbian: Црква светог Саве, romanized: Crkva svetog Save) is a special church in Jackson, California. It was built in 1894 and holds a unique place in history. This church was the very first Serbian Orthodox church ever built in America!
In the late 1800s, many people from Serbia moved to Amador County. They came because of the California Gold Rush, hoping to find gold. These Serbian-Americans wanted a place to worship and gather. So, they formed the St. Sava Church Organization of Amador County in 1886–87. This group worked hard to buy land and build the church. A leader named Sevastijan Dabović helped a lot with this effort.
The church's original design showed its Eastern Orthodox roots. It even had a special round roof called an onion dome. Later, the dome was changed to a bell tower. But the church still has beautiful stained glass windows and many icons. These features give it a distinct Eastern Orthodox look. Since it opened, the church has been a center for Serbian-American religious services and social events. Today, it is part of the Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Western America.
Cemetery and Miners' Memorial
Right next to the church is the Saint Sava Cemetery. This cemetery is where many early Gold Rush prospectors are buried. It also holds the graves of church members and their families.
In 1922, a sad mining accident happened nearby. This event deeply affected the town of Jackson, especially the Italian and Serbian communities. There is a special monument at Saint Sava's. It honors eleven miners from the Argonaut Mine who died in that disaster.
A large burial service was held on September 22, 1922. Forty-seven migrant miners were buried together. Seventeen of them were from Italy, and eleven were from Serbian lands in the Balkans. Other miners came from countries like Spain, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Historic Landmark
The Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church is an important historical building. Because of its history and significance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 6, 1986. This means it is recognized as a place worth protecting for future generations.
