This year's theme was "Immigrants, Serbs of Steel", telling the story of hard - working immigrants who labored in the dangerous steel mills from the early 1900's to the present day. The Serbian immigrants helped build Northwest Indiana's steel mills, industries, and towns. They brought their religion, language, music, customs, and traditions to America, and have maintained all these through the church. Some of the families featured have been in America for 4 generations. Others came as refugees after WWII, some as Chetniks forced to leave behind everything they fought to protect. Several members were born in post - WWII refugee camps. Many classic stories are told through photographs and keepsakes on display. If you've never been to a steel mill, you'll leave with a greater appreciation for the dangerous conditions and how hard our church members worked to earn the funds that built and financed our church. Also on display is a document that lists all the US Steel workers who lost their lives while at work. The graphic descriptions remind us of the risks taken by the steel workers. Many Serbs are among those listed in this document.

On Sunday, August 2nd, co - authors Stephen McShane and Gary Wilks (Steel Giants) shared  their research about the early immigrants' contributions to northwest Indiana's steel industries.  Nick Tarailo (Bronko's Restaurant) spoke of the stories his grandfather  shared about the early days in Gary. This program was funded by the Indiana Humanities Council in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities.

A memorial tribute to Karl Malden, St. Sava's own Mladen Sekulovich, is on display as well. He was the son of immigrants and worked in the steel mills for a short time.  During his youth, he participated in church plays and was a member of the choir. He was very proud of his Serbian heritage and was a great benefactor of St. Sava Church.

You will be able to visit the exhibit every Sunday after church, or call ahead to arrange a special showing. Call the church office (219) 736-9191 or (219) 613-6133.

The Serbian Historical Society would like to THANK all the families who participated in this group effort. They loaned or donated special keepsakes, documents, and photographs for this exhibit. Thanks also to Fr. Marko, Dennis, and the Church Board for their continued support.

Please attend Divine Liturgy and 40 Day Parastos for Mladen Sekulovich, actor Karl Malden. You can also visit the exhibit presented by the Serbian Historical Society in the north wing after services. For all the volunteers who didn't get a chance to view the exhibit during Serb Fest, this is your last chance to see the complete collection of Milan Opacich's vintage tamburas. The rest of the exhibit will remain for several weeks. This year's theme is "Immigrants, Serbs of Steel", plus a tribute to Karl Malden.

Yes, Serb Fest now has a commercial!

Send this to all your Serbian friends and relatives, to friends who know Serbs, and to those who wish they were Serbs...........That's just about everyone, isn't it?

• To send this blog:

• Click on the blog title (permanent link)

• Copy the URL, paste it an email, and send to to all your friends.

Be sure to stop by and see all the wonderful pictures and collection of articles on display in the north wing Cultural Display Room. Four generations of Serbian weddings are displayed and you will see how little our traditions have changed. Danica Bikoff's satin gown from 1943 is on display as well as Manda Andrejich's bridal gown from 1952. George and Smelia Mitrovich's cake top from 1938 is also on loan from Paul and Xenia Jancarich. The room will be open Sundays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. It's not too late to turn in photos because we'll be adding to our collection for next year's exhibit. If you would like to make special arrangements to see the exhibit at any other time, please call Dorothy at (219) 613-6133.

Sunday, July 5th is the last day for viewing this exhibit. The Serbian Historical Society will need some time to prepare the room for Serb Fest. This year's theme will be "Immigrants - Serbs in the Steel Mills".

Special Thanks to Orkestar Junaci from Pittsburgh for permission to use their music for our slide show video.

The Serbian Historical Society would like to include wedding photos from several generations in our upcoming exhibit: "Serbian Wedding Traditions". Everyone is invited to send us 8X10 sized copies of your own wedding, your parents, grandparents, and friends. Photos can be from any country, taken in an Orthodox Church, any parish, a studio, refugee camp, or a village. Send us several if you like. You may have a favorite scene that tells a special story. Please send the complete description for each photo on a separate sheet of paper. Also include the date, the name of the couple, church, priest, kumovi, attendants, and your own name and phone number. We will announce the date when the exhibit is complete, and will show the exhibit on this website. The photos will be identified for display.

Please send the photos to: St. Sava Church, Serbian Historical Society, 9191 Mississippi St., Merillville, IN 46410. For more information, please call Dorothy at (219) 613-6133.

Be sure to visit the exhibit "Serbian Christmas Traditions" now on display in the north wing Cultural Center. St. Sava's Serbian Historical Society is sponsoring this colorful themed arrangement celebrating our unique customs. The Badnjak, Chesnica, straw, wheat, fruits and nuts are all part of our traditions. Milan and Roz Opacich have provided their personal collection of miniature musical instruments that adorn the Christmas trees as well as a collection of SERB WORLD U.S.A. Magazines that feature holiday stories of interest. The Sunday School children were especially fascinated by the upside-down Christmas tree adorned with fruit, nuts, and badnjak branches. A selection of ornaments, icons, and books are available for purchase. Visit every Sunday from 9:30a.m. until 2:00 p.m., extended hours on Badnje Vece from 5:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., and 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 on Christmas Day. Bring the whole family and your friends to share our wonderful traditions. Don't forget your cameras!

(Click photo to enlarge)

Bishop Peter Bankerovich served St. Sava in Gary, Indiana from 1963 until 1970. In honor of his 20 year Parastos, the Serbian Historical Society presented a large exhibit of photographs and items from his personal collection, donated by Father Tom Kazich. His spiritual life and travels were remarkable. We are extremely grateful to Father Tom for sharing these special keepsakes that will be preserved for generations. The display was viewed by hundreds for three weeks in the south wing social center. May his memory be eternal. (Click photo to enlarge)

The Serbian Historical Society put on a large display during Serb Fest, featuring many popular themes. Serbs in the U. S. Armed Forces, Serbs as Chetniks, Serbs in Sports, St. Varnava, St. Sava Church Old and New, Nikola Tesla, and many other themes filled the large room in the north wing. Hundreds viewed the exhibit each day, and even returned several times to take in more information. This is the third year that Serb Fest has hosted a cultural display, and has become unique to St. Sava Church. The Serbian Historical Society would like to Thank everyone who has donated or loaned items and photos of interest to their collection. In the future, you will see many more themed exhibits. (Click photos to enlarge)