Mirko popovich biography of william hill

HISTORY OF ST. NICHOLAS SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF STEELTON, PA (1903-1978)

By: SAMUEL BOJANIC

            Today our Church Congregation will culminate 75 years of its existence and the occasion marks another historical day in our spiritual family life made possible by the great sacrifices of our early settlers and pioneers.  An attempt is being made to consolidate pertinent data in this history to preclude the necessity to refer to previous published facts and data and excerpts from the official documents available in the church archives.  The task of compiling this history involves research of records written in the Cyrillic, Croatian, and English alphabets from some very legible accounts while others are difficult to translate due to the handwriting or the impact of time upon the ink and pencil minutes.  It may be evident that some previous historical data will be refuted only because there are new sources which are available to correct or supplement the histories published in the past.  However, if you have any available material to assist in updating the archives of your church, please make them available to the church for which we will be eternally grateful.  We are indebted to the committees and individuals who prepared historical data for our previous anniversary celebrations and fully appreciate the many hours expended in their research.

             The year 1969, marked the 750 Anniversary of the Serbian Orthodox Church, “founded” in 1219.  For it was at that time, the most significant event in our church history occurred – the independence of the Serbian Orthodox Church.  Largely through the creative spirit and inspired efforts of Saint Sava was independence achieved for the church and its people during that tumultuous age in the politically and socially troubled Balkan provinces. 

This is a list of notable Croatian Americans, including both original immigrants who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants.

To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article showing they are Croatian American or must have references showing they are Croatian American and are notable.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Academics

Artists

Entertainers

Actors

Screenwriters, directors, producers and film workers

Musicians

• Thana Alexa – (born Thana Alexa Pavelić) American jazz vocalist
• Nenad Bach – recording artist, composer, performer, producer and peace activist
• Tony Butala – co-founder and member of the singing group The Lettermen (uncle of actress Jenna Elfman)
• Dillon Francis – American electronic musician, record producer and DJ
• Alex Katunich – founding bassist of Incubus
• Jim Korthe (1970–2010) – singer
• Stephen Kovacevich – pianist and conductor
• Katrina Leskanich – singer
• Radoslav Lorković is a Croatian-born American based classically trained folk and blues musician on accordion and piano
• Clair Marlo (born Clara Veseliza) – singer-songwriter, composer, record producer
• Željko Marasović – composer of classical and film music
• Miljenko Matijevic – musician
• Johnny Mercer – singer-songwriter (mother of Croatian and Irish descent)
• Helen Merrill – jazz singer
• Zinka Milanov – operatic soprano
• Tomo Miličević – musician, guitarist
• Paul Mirkovich – musical director (The Voice)
• Joey Miskulin is an American accordionist and member of western music and comedy group Riders in the Sky
• Guy Mitchell – singer and actor
• Steve Novosel - jazz bass bassist
• Krist Novoselic – musician, bassist. Founding member of rock band Nirvana (band)
• David Paich – composer, producer and keyboardist
• Marty Paich –

First Settlers Arrive in the 1900s

   The first Serbian settlers came to Southwestern Ohio in the early 1900s.  Those were the times of the Balkan Wars when Serbia was defending itself from aggression of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the Turkish Empire and surrounding kingdoms.  Many came from the Province of Vojvodina in order to escape from being forced to serve in the Austro-Hungarian Army fighting their fellow Serbs.  Although settlers came from several regions of the Kingdom of Serbia, many early settlers to Cincinati came from the area of Vojvodina known as “Banat.”  Among the first families whose names we find in our church records include  Chirich,  Glesen, Georgev, Golusin, Kaprish, Kosanchich, Miladinov, Mrvicin, Peyakov, Palkovich, Todorov, Trifunac, Tyirich, Tyirin, Velimirov,Vukich , Yesich, Yovich, and Zavisin.  The fact that Cincinnati was a center for manufacturing at that time made finding jobs easy for these hard-working settlers.

A Church-School is Organized

   These first groups of immigrants settled in Over-the-Rhine around the Findlay Market Area of Central Avenue, Race and Elder Streets.  Many European immigrants settled in this same area.  They purchased a building on Charlotte  Street and in 1909 founded the first Church-School Congregation of St. George the Great Martyr.  The first President was Milan Mrvicin.  Applying for a Charter to the State of Ohio, it was granted in 1910.  Milan Mrvicin also organized the ladies in the Congregation to form the first Circle of Serbian Sisters in the U.S.  His wife, Darinka Mrvicin, was their first President.

   One of these early settlers, Cveta Yovich, held Serbian Language School several times a week for the sons and daughters of the immigrants to assure that they learned the language and the culture of the country their pa