Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church (Milwaukee) facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church
Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
42°59′11.8″N 87°58′43.3″W / 42.986611°N 87.978694°W / 42.986611; -87.978694
Location	3201 S. 51st Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Country	United States
Denomination	Serbian Orthodox Church
Website	www.stsava-milw.org
History
Status	Parish church
Founder(s)	Serbian immigrant community
Dedication	Saint Sava
Architecture
Architect(s)	Camburas and Theodore
Style	Serbo-Byzantine architecture Byzantine Revival
Groundbreaking	August 26, 1956
Specifications
Materials	Stone
Administration
Diocese	Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of New Gračanica and Midwestern America

Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church is a well-known Eastern Orthodox church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It belongs to the Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of New Gračanica and Midwestern America. The parish honors Saint Sava, who was the first Archbishop of Serbia.

The cathedral is famous for its colorful glass and stone wall mosaics. Experts consider these mosaics some of the most detailed religious artwork in North America. The church property also includes a parish school and the American Serb Hall, a famous gathering place.

History and Growth of the Milwaukee Serbian Parish
Architecture and Artistic Features of Saint Sava
- Serbo-Byzantine Architectural Style
- The Famous Interior Mosaics
The Role of American Serb Hall in the Community
Education and Cultural Traditions at the Parish
- St. Sava Orthodox School
- Music, Folk Dance, and Cultural Festivals
See Also

History and Growth of the Milwaukee Serbian Parish

Early Serbian Immigration to Wisconsin

Serbian families began moving to Milwaukee in large numbers during the late 19th century. By 1912, around 2,500 Serbian immigrants lived in the city. Just four years later in 1916, that population grew to more than 6,000 people.

Many newcomers worked in Milwaukee's thriving factories, foundries, and leather tanneries. These industrial jobs provided steady wages for new arrivals. Early record-keeping was not always exact because many Serbs arrived from regions ruled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Immigrants gathered in close neighborhoods to support one another. They shared meals, spoke their native language, and preserved cultural traditions. They quickly realized they needed a spiritual center to keep their community united and strong.

Founding the First Church in 1912

On February 8, 1912, local leaders met to plan a new parish. They founded their first church building later that year at 724 South 3rd Street in Milwaukee.

The congregation celebrated its first Divine Liturgy (the main Orthodox worship service) on Christmas, which falls on January 7 in the traditional Julian calendar. Parishioners celebrated with traditional hymns, bread sharing, and community prayers.

The parish faced major hardships during its early decades. Between 1912 and 1942, the church was led by 12 different priests. Many young men returned across the Atlantic to serve overseas during the Balkan Wars and World War I.

Leadership of Father Milan Brkich

In 1942, Father Milan Brkich became the leading parish priest. He brought energy, vision, and organizational structure to the growing church.

Father Brkich helped resettle displaced families after World War II. His efforts started a pattern of chain migration, where settled families helped relatives and friends move to Wisconsin. This rapid growth strengthened the cultural life of the community throughout the 1940s and 1950s.

Building the Modern Cathedral on 51st Street

By the late 1940s, the congregation outgrew its original building on 3rd Street. Leaders bought 14 acres of open land on Milwaukee's southwest side.

The community built the American Serb Hall on the property in 1950. Following that success, parish members voted to construct a brand-new cathedral building. Each church family was asked to donate $100 toward the building fund.

Bishop Dionisije blessed the ground during a special ceremony on August 26, 1956. Workers built the church, a parish house for the clergy, and modern school classrooms. Construction finished on February 4, 1958, and the cathedral was officially consecrated in August 1958.

Important Milestones and Parish Life

Saint Sava has hosted many historic religious gatherings over the decades. On August 1, 1963, church leaders consecrated Firmilian Ocokoljich as a regional bishop inside the cathedral.

Father Milan Brkich retired in 1964 after more than 20 years of dedicated service. In the 1970s, the parish constructed a cultural center to host youth sports, folk dance practices, and language classes. The congregation celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012 with banquets, special services, and visits from international guests.

Architecture and Artistic Features of Saint Sava

Serbo-Byzantine Architectural Style

The cathedral was designed by the architectural firm Camburas and Theodore. It features the Serbo-Byzantine style, which combines classic Roman arches with traditional Eastern dome patterns.

The exterior is built of solid stone, featuring multiple arched windows and sweeping rooflines. Large central domes symbolize heaven reaching down toward the earth. This design follows centuries-old floor plans used across southeastern Europe.

The Famous Interior Mosaics

Inside the cathedral, nearly every wall and ceiling surface is covered with brilliant mosaic artwork. The entire mosaic project took 35 years to finish and cost more than $3 million.

Italian artist Sirio Tonelli created the designs using the Byzantine icon tradition. Workers placed millions of tiny glass and stone pieces (called tesserae) by hand into wet plaster. Many of the glass pieces contain real gold leaf beneath a clear top layer.

The artwork depicts important biblical events alongside figures from Christian history:

Scenes from the life of Jesus Christ, including the Nativity and the Resurrection
Portraits of early apostles, prophets, and Christian teachers
Key Serbian historical leaders, including Saint Sava and his father, Saint Simeon
Angels and seraphim surrounding the high central dome

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel described the interior as having some of the most extensive and elaborate church mosaics in the entire United States.

The Role of American Serb Hall in the Community

Origins and Community Gatherings

The American Serb Hall opened next to the cathedral in 1950. The building was dedicated to honor Serbian American soldiers who gave their lives defending the United States.

For decades, the hall served as a central hub for weddings, sports banquets, school dances, and cultural festivals. It gave local families a place to celebrate milestones together.

Famous Good Friday Fish Fry

American Serb Hall became famous across the Midwest for its weekly fish fry meals. Diners could sit inside the spacious dining rooms or order through a convenient drive-thru window.

The hall claimed the title of "America's Largest Good Friday Fish Fry." On that single holiday each spring, kitchen staff prepared and served around 440 fish dinners every single hour to hungry visitors.

Visits from United States Presidents

Because Milwaukee is an important industrial city, the hall became a legendary stop for political campaigns. Candidates from different political parties visited the hall to meet voters, eat lunch, and deliver campaign speeches.

Several political figures who visited the hall later became President of the United States:

Due to changing economic conditions and the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the church congregation decided to sell the American Serb Hall property in early 2021.

Education and Cultural Traditions at the Parish

St. Sava Orthodox School

Education has always been a key focus for the Saint Sava community. The parish established St. Sava Orthodox School to teach elementary and middle school students.

The school curriculum includes standard academic subjects such as mathematics, science, reading, and history. Students also learn about Orthodox Christian history, the Serbian language, and traditional music.

Music, Folk Dance, and Cultural Festivals

Saint Sava hosts regular cultural events that teach younger generations about their heritage. The church sponsors youth folklore dance groups that practice traditional regional dances called kolo.

Dancers wear handmade historical costumes decorated with colorful embroidery and ribbons. The parish choir sings traditional choral responses during Sunday services and performs seasonal concerts for the local community.