HISTORY OF ST. ELIJAH CHURCH
DID YOU KNOW..

• The first immigrants to arrive in Aliquippa came from Banija, Korduna, Lika, Bosnia, Slavonija, Srem, and Vovodina

• Oldest Lodge organized in 1907 was called " Simeun Mirotocul"

• The first church was to be erected on land bought in the McDonald Heights section of Aliquippa in 1909

• This did not happen due to the need of an immediate burial site, which became the first St. Elijah Cemetery

• In 1912 the Jones and Laughlin Steel Company granted 3 lots of land in the Logstown Section along Hopewell Avenue so that a church could be erected

• A church was purchased from the Presbyterians and it was moved to the Hopewell Avenue site

• 1914 it was destroyed by a violent storm and construction of a new church began and was dedicated to the Prophet St. Elijah

• First wedding performed was Mr. & Mrs. Dan Maravich

• First president was Mihailo Stepanovich

• 1932 Choral Group " Fruska Gora" was started by Milivoj Yoykich it united with "Svimir" and thus became the St. Elijah Church Choir

• 1932 Circle of Serbian Sister was formed

• 1935 Ambridge Serbian Sisters were organized

• 1936 Church cemetery property was purchased on Brodhead Road for $10,000

• 1939 St. Elijah Celebrates its 25th Anniversary, Tode Loverich was president

• 1945 Picnic ground adjacent to cemetery property was purchased

• 1946 Seven lots were purchased where current church stands

• 1949 Fred Philips-President helped to renovate the church

• 1949 Proto Vlastimir Tomich arrives from Omaha, Nebraska
  *Balance in church account when he arrived $700.00

• 1950 Church School/ Mother's Club are organized

• 1951 Fundraising begins to build a new church in the New Sheffield area of Aliquippa. General Chairman selected to head this up was Sam Milanovich. Pledges of $120.00 per working family were being solicited

• July 1951 five additional lots were purchased at a cost of $12,000.00 next to church

• 1952 St. Sava Day kick-off fundraiser for the church

• New grounds were consecrated by Bishop Nicolai

• 1953 Selection of Architect, Mr. George Voinovich of Cleveland, Ohio was hired. Sketches from Belgrade arrived. We copied a church from the village of Shilopaj near Gornji Milanovac. It was of Byzantine Style.

• Fall of 1953 Final Draft was completed and it called for a church of 95 feet long by 39 feet wide. His Grace  the Right Reverend Bishop Dionisije approved all plans

• 1954 Groundbreaking ceremony  was held $14,000.00 was collected for the New Building Fund. Total in fund at this time from pledges and various fundraisers-$100,000.00

• Cook-Anderson was retained as the contracted builder. They also erected the St. George Church in Midland. Bid amount was $263,358.00 plus add on expenses

• June 7, 1954 Construction began and in August the Church celebrated its 40th Anniversary

• October 17, 1954 Cornerstone was laid this event was once again attended by Bishop Dionisije also in attendance were: Fr. Peter Karaffa (Russian Priest) Fr. Peter Paunovich - Youngstown, Fr. Milorad Doborota -Midland, Fr. Bronko Kusinjie - Cleveland, Fr. Miodrag Djurich -Lackawanna, and Fr. Branko Skaljac - Masontown

• 1955 Mr. Alexander Dzigurski was entrusted with designing, painting, and installation of the Iconostas

• 1956 Parish house was completed and ready to move in

• June 3, 1956 last Liturgy was held in church on Hopewell Avenue serving the people for 42 years

• June 10, 1956 Present church was dedicated by Bishop Dionisije. Grand Banquet was held under tents for over 1000 guests

• Fall 1956 funds fall short and a loan for $110,000 was obtained from Union National Bank of Pittsburgh. Payments were to be made quarterly for 15 years

• 1958 The Loan was paid off in just 2 years. A gala event to mark the occasion was held on August 3, 1958

• July 13, 1963 Very Reverend Stefan Lastavica became 1st Bishop to be consecrated in America at St. Elijah Church

• 1964 50th Anniversary was observed

• 1968 A banquet was held honoring Very Rev. Fr. Vlastimir Tomich for 20 years of continuous service

• Upon his retirement in 1970, Fr. Srboljub Bulich arrived in Aliquippa

• Planning Committee formed to build a Cultural Center headed by then president Steven Kavic, with Dewey Vanich elected as General Chairman

• 1971 Groundbreaking for Center was held. Kumovi for the even was the Ralich Brothers, George, Dan, and Nick

• February 1973 Father Stevan Stepanov arrived as pastor of the church

• Cornerstone dedication was held, Kumovi once again were the Ralich Brothers

• April 1973 KCC Choir was formed

• 1976 Women were first permitted to join the church as voting members. Dorothy Reback was the first female elected to office on the Executive Board as Secretary. Followed by Patricia Cekoric as Financial Secretary. Other women holding early office: Mary Poola, Millie Kosanovich, Kata Crevar, Kata Grkovich, Milica G. Milanovich and Seya Mabee

• 1978 His Grace Bishop Christopher was installed as Bishop

• 1978 Church Day Camp was started

• 1980 St. Elijah Choir observed its 50th Anniversary

• 1981 Mortgage Burning on the Center Mortgage $717,356 paid in nine years

• 1985 Plans to build a Chapel at the cemetery began

• 1986 Groundbreaking ceremonies was held Ann Fagan was honored Kuma

• 1988 Resurrection Chapel dedicated once again Mrs. Fagan attended

• 1992 Church undergoes a renovation project. Marble flooring, new pews and patching and painting were done

• 1998 25th Anniversary Celebration of Father Stevan's continuous service to the St. Elijah Church

• 2000 KCC regional meeting hosted in Aliquippa

• 2002 Day Camp celebrates 25th Anniversary

• 2002 We began the Paint Renovation Project

• Hired Lickey and Associates as our consultant for the outside project

• Marini&Richards were hired to do the masonry work on the Church and Planters

• Penn Perry repaired our roof and metal sheeting and replaced the Copper domes

• AJ Vater placed 24kt gold on teh Cross on top of the domes

• Tuma Lawn Service trimmed all trees and shrubs around the church

• All Phase Construction and Harshman Construction insulated the attic

• Halama Brothers rewired the fan and placed a thermostatic control on it

• Knight Light and Sound installed our new Sound System in the Church and the Church basement

• D'Eremo Heating and Air Conditioning installed the air conditioner in basement

• New church bells and speakers were done by the Verdin Company

• AJ Vater was hired to do the Painting of the Church

• Lucci Kitchens installed custom designed our new candle burners and exhaust system

• Penn Tile installed the new carpet in the Choir loft and Roth Carpet supplied the entrance carpet and runner
  
   

  Past Kumovi

  Past Parish Priests

  Past Presidents

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