Prvá Katolícka Slovenská Jednota
September has always brought a new season, new colors, and special meaning. Father Štefan Furdek was born in what is now Slovakia and came to the Cleveland, Ohio, area to help the growing immigrant population from Central and Eastern Europe. On September 4, 1890, 136 years ago, he led 12 men who gathered at the home of Jacob Gruss on Corwin Avenue. Together, they formed what is now the First Catholic Slovak Union (FCSU).
FCSU became one of the largest and oldest fraternal organizations, helping protect immigrants who worked in dangerous steel mills, factories and mines, along with their families. FCSU provided insurance and financial stability to those who put their lives at risk in their everyday jobs.
Just one year after FCSU was formed, the organization published the first edition of its bilingual newspaper, Jednota, in Slovak and English. The newspaper provided readers with news and information about the Catholic faith and Slovak heritage. Throughout the 1890’s, hundreds of branches were established, along with Catholic parishes across the United States and Canada. Catholic Slovak immigrants now had a place to come together and call home after leaving their homeland behind.
Throughout the years, FCSU has supported surrounding communities and helped establish educational institutions for the young people. St. Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Ohio and St. Cyril Academy in Danville, Pennsylvania, were founded in the 1920s to educate the children of Slovak immigrants and continued educating children for generations.
FCSU has worked timelessly to uphold Catholic Slovak culture within the United States throughout the past century. In 1965, FCSU donated the Jednota Chapel of Our Mother of Sorrows at The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. The chapel remains the shrine’s most visited chapel to this day.
The existence of Jednota also supported Slovakia’s fight for Independence. Slovakia has now celebrated 33 years of independence. During those years, Slovakia joined the European Union and established provisions allowing descendants of former citizens to regain their identity through citizenship by decent. Slovakia is also getting recognition on the international pop music scene, with rising pop Adéla Jergová becoming the first Slovak artist in history to reach the Billboard Hot 100.
FCSU also celebrates the 11th anniversary of the Jednota Memorial Dedication in Middletown, Pennsylvania. The memorial honors all deceased members of FSCU, with special recognition given to veterans from World War I to the present day. Granite bricks are available for purchase by contacting the Home Office at 800.533.6682.
In 2019, Father Štefan Furdek symbolically returned home to Cleveland when his statue was placed in the front of FCSU’s Home Office in Independence, Ohio.
September will always be a special time for members of FCSU. Whether you are a new member, an employee, or FCSU has been in your family for generations, there is always something to celebrate.