St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral (Milwaukee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral |
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| 42°59′11.8″N 87°58′43.3″W / 42.986611°N 87.978694°W | |
| Location | 3201 S. 51st. Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Serbian Orthodox Church |
| Website | www.stsava-milw.org |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Sava |
| Consecrated | August 26, 1956 (land); August 30th, 1958 (building) |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Camburas and Theodore |
| Style | Serbo-Byzantine architecture; Byzantine Revival |
| Completed | 1958 (67 years ago) |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Stone |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of New Gracanica – Midwestern America |
The St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral (Serbian: Црква светог Саве, romanized: Crkva svetog Save) is a large Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was finished in 1958. The church is famous for its beautiful wall mosaics. These mosaics are some of the biggest and most detailed church mosaics in the United States. The cathedral is part of a larger area that also has a school and a big event hall. This hall, called the American Serb Hall, has been a popular place for political leaders to visit. Many people who later became President of the United States have stopped there.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of St. Sava Cathedral
How Did Serbian Immigrants Start Their Community?
Many Serbian people began moving to Milwaukee in the late 1800s and early 1900s. By 1912, about 2,500 Serbians lived in the city. This number grew to 6,000 by 1916. These early immigrants often came from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. On February 8, 1912, a group of Serbians decided they needed their own church. They started their first church that same year. It was located at 724 S. 3rd St. The first church service, called a divine liturgy, was held on Christmas, January 7, 1913.
The church community faced tough times in its early years. Many men from the church went back to Europe to fight in the Balkan Wars and World War I. Despite these challenges, the church stayed organized. They had an executive board and welcomed 12 different priests between 1912 and 1942.
Who Helped the Community Grow?
In 1942, Milan Brkich became the parish priest. He was a young leader who helped make the community strong again in the 1940s. Milan Brkich helped many Serbian people who had lost their homes move to Milwaukee. Because of this, more Serbians came to the city. Their language and customs stayed strong into the 1950s.
Building the Cathedral: A Community Effort
In the late 1940s, the church bought 14 acres of land in Milwaukee. They built the American Serb Hall there in 1950. The hall was very successful. Because of this, the church decided to build a new church building in 1951. They started a special fund, and church members were asked to give $100 each.
On August 26, 1956, they held a special ceremony to start building. Bishop Dionisije blessed the land. Soon, construction began on the cathedral, a new parish house, and a new school building. The construction was finished on February 4, 1958. The new cathedral was officially dedicated in August of that same year.
St. Sava Today: A Century of Faith
After the cathedral was built, it hosted many important events for the church community. On August 1, 1963, Firmilian Ocokoljich became the bishop of the Diocese of Midwestern America right there at the church. A year later, Milan Brkich, the priest who served for over 20 years, retired.
Later, in the 1970s, a new cultural center was added. The American Serb Hall was also updated. One of the biggest projects was finishing the cathedral's amazing mosaics. Today, the cathedral is still a very active community. In 2012, the church celebrated its 100th birthday!
What Does St. Sava Cathedral Look Like?
The St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral was designed in the Serbo-Byzantine style. This style is inspired by old Byzantine buildings. The inside of the cathedral is almost completely covered with beautiful wall mosaics. These mosaics cost more than $3 million and took 35 years to finish!
Italian artist Sirio Tonelli designed the mosaics. They show many important Orthodox Christian figures in the Byzantine icon style. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper called these mosaics "some of the most extensive and elaborate church mosaics in the United States."
The American Serb Hall: A Community Hub
Next to the cathedral is the American Serb Hall. It opened in 1950 and was dedicated to Serbs who fought for the United States. The hall is famous for its fish fry events. They even claim to have "America's Largest Good Friday Fish Fry." On that day each year, they handle about 440 fish orders every hour!
The American Serb Hall has also been a very important place for politicians. Many candidates, including former presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, visited the hall during their election campaigns.
In January 2021, the church announced that it would sell the American Serb Hall. This was because of money problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
See also
- St. Sava Orthodox School
