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'{{Other uses|St. Sava Church (disambiguation){{!}}St. Sava Church}} {{Infobox church |denomination = [[Serbian Orthodox Church]] |church name = Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church-School Congregation |image=Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church (Merrillville, Indiana).jpg |country = United States |location = 9191 Mississippi Street, [[Merrillville, Indiana]] |latd = 41.4519 |longd = -87.3147 |coordinates display = inline,title |website = {{URL|saintsava.net}} |founded date = 1914 |dedication = Saint Sava |consecrated date = 1991 |architect = Milojko Perisich; Radovan Pejovic |architectural type = Byzantine Style|capacity = Seats about 400, additional 100 standing |length = Overall {{convert|376|ft}} |length nave = {{convert|100|ft}} |width nave = {{convert|60|ft}} |height = Cross on the center cupola rests {{convert|97|ft}} above the ground |dome quantity = 5 |materials = American steel, Indiana limestone, and Appalachian oak wood |bells = Located in the western cupola |diocese = [[Diocese of New Gracanica – Midwestern America]] |bishop = His Grace Bishop Longin |priest = Father Marko Matic }} '''Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church''' was originally established February 14, 1914 in [[Gary, Indiana|Gary]], [[Indiana]] and is now located in [[Merrillville, Indiana|Merrillville]], Indiana since the consecration of the new church building in 1991.<ref name=":0" /> It is the church-school congregation where [[Varnava Nastić|Saint Varnava]], the first American-born [[Serbs|Serbian]] to be proclaimed an Orthodox saint, was baptized, served as altar boy, and was first recognized as a youthful prodigy in reciting Serbian folklore and old ballads.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title = Crisis in Urban Schools: A Book of Readings for the Beginning Urban Teacher|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=MEx1QSTwtMcC|publisher = Ardent Media|date = 1974-01-01|isbn = 9780842202985|language = en|first = Thomas E.|last = Glass|page = 34}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|title = Is There a Folk in the City?|url = http://www.jstor.org/stable/539108|journal = The Journal of American Folklore|date = 1970-01-01|pages = 185–216|volume = 83|issue = 328|doi = 10.2307/539108|first = Richard M.|last = Dorson}}</ref> It is recognized as one of the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest's]] oldest [[parish]]es,<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2009-11-03/pdf/CREC-2009-11-03-extensions.pdf|title = Congressional Record - Extensions of Remarks|date = 2009-11-03|access-date = 2016-02-17|website = |publisher = United States Government Printing Office|last = |first = }}</ref> founded in [[Gary, Indiana]] by early Serbian settlers in the United States seeking to establish their local community with the building of a church to help maintain their traditional customs.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Tradition and Change in a Ritual Feast: The Serbian Krsna Slava in America|url = http://www.jstor.org/stable/20172781|journal = The Great Lakes Review|date = 1985-01-01|pages = 21–36|volume = 11|issue = 2|doi = 10.2307/20172781|first = Zora D.|last = Zimmerman}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = Immigrants in American History: Arrival, Adaptation, and Integration|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=AP7QCteb0o0C|publisher = ABC-CLIO|date = 2013-01-01|isbn = 9781598842197|language = en|first = Elliott Robert|last = Barkan|page = 599}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1132.html | title = Serbs | website = www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org | access-date = 2016-02-26 }}</ref> Through its religious and nationalistic endeavors, it earned the renowned name of "Srpska Gera."<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite book|title=Oplenac Consecration|last=Todorovich|first=Jovan|publisher=Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church - Merrillville, Indiana|year=1991|isbn=|location=|pages=21|chapter=Greetings from Very Rev. Jovan Todorovich}}</ref> It is now among the churches in the Northwest Indiana region that enjoy the status of institutional landmarks.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Land of the Millrats|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=z-yrb63Z9EkC&pg=PA121&dq=st.+sava+gary&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi3s9y15YTLAhUJWh4KHUjCDrsQ6AEIKzAD#v=onepage&q=st.%2520sava%2520gary&f=false|publisher = Harvard University Press|date = 1981-01-01|isbn = 9780674508552|language = en|first = Richard Mercer|last = Dorson|page = 121}}</ref> == Architectural design and recognition == === Design model === The architectural design of the exterior central portion of the current church building was modeled after the [[Oplenac]], a Serbian Orthodox Church located in [[Topola]], [[Serbia]]. It shares many similarities in its physical features and likeness. === Gold Medal Award === Upon completion of construction of the main structure in 1990, the Illinois Indiana Masonry Council honored St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church with the Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Masonry Design citing the work of Architect Radovan Pejovic and Mason Contractor Gacesa Masonry Construction. === Physical attributes === The [[nave]], or center of the church, is 60 feet (18m) by 100 feet (30m) with a center [[cupola]] rising more than 90 feet high. The church can accommodate as many as 500 people.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/new-st-sava-serbian-church-a-work-of/article_9a13de2b-9259-5bfa-9666-bc696ac4fcfe.html|title=New St. Sava Serbian church a 'work of love'|last=Calderone Jostes|first=DIane|website=nwitimes.com|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> The north wing of the building complex holds administrative offices, a custodian's apartment, and originally a library which has since been converted into a museum organized by the St. Sava Historical Society. The lower level houses the Sunday School classrooms. The south wing was originally designed to house classrooms with movable partitions when the church was built, but has since been converted into the a small hall available for rental known as the South Wing Social Center with built-in kitchen facilities.<ref name=":7" /> The steel beams that form the skeleton of the building structure enable the expansive central part of the church to exist open and barrier free. The beams were made in two [[Lake County, Indiana|Lake County Indiana]] steel plants [[Inland Steel Company|Inland Steel]] and [[U.S. Steel]].<ref name=":7" /> The exterior facade of the building is [[Indiana Limestone|Indiana limestone]] from [[Bedford, Indiana]] and the interior of the church is mainly constructed from Appalachian red wood.<ref name=":7" /> The giant [[chandelier]] in the center of the church and several others were made of German [[crystal]] designed and custom-made in a New York plant. The largest is 8 feet across and 11 feet tall and weighs 800 pounds.<ref name=":7" /> === Iconography === All the original [[iconography]]<nowiki/>alining the wallsre the work of Orthodox priest [[Theodore Jurewicz]].<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/traveling-priest-preserves-his-religion-with-art/article_c97e34f9-634a-5c3d-aa70-69144d9b6a4d.html|title=Traveling priest preserves his religion with art|last=Banks|first=Nancy|website=nwitimes.com|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> Jurewicz painted the [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Virgin Mary]] and the Christ child over the center altar in 1991 which took 2 months to paint.<ref name=":8" /> Jurewicz painted "The Nativity of Christ" icon on the north wall, taking two weeks to compete it in March 1993.<ref name=":8" /> Jurewicz painted "The Resurrection of Christ and Descent into Hades" icon on the south wall, taking two weeks to complete it in May 1993.<ref name=":8" /> Jurewicz also painted the icon mural in the choir loft of 12 saints that are important to the Orthodox faith, intertwined with a history rich with religious and political significance. The choir loft mural was painted by Jurewicz in November 1993.<ref name=":8" /> == History == === Early years === The Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church-School Congregation served an important role in maintaining the Serbian culture while also helping Serbian immigrants adapt to mainstream America.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Sports in Chicago|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=iY6BK0FZS-EC&pg=PA119&dq=st.+sava+gary&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi3s9y15YTLAhUJWh4KHUjCDrsQ6AEIQjAH#v=onepage&q=st.%2520sava%2520gary&f=false|publisher = University of Illinois Press|date = 2008-01-01|isbn = 9780252075230|language = en|first = Elliott J.|last = Gorn|pages = 118–119}}</ref> The Serbian Orthodox Church-School Congregation of St. Sava was founded as a community of persons who profess the Orthodox Faith and reside in one ore more localities which comprise a geographical or administrative unit.<ref name=":1" /> The Serbian Orthodox Church-School Congregation of St. Sava established February 15, 1914 in Gary, Indiana adopted and ratified the first By-laws of the church March 22, 1914 at the Main Membership Assembly for efficient and successful realization of its aims and purposes.<ref name=":1" /> For legal purposes, the St. Sava Church-School Congregation was originally incorporated according to the laws of the State of Indiana April 16, 1914.<ref name=":1" /> The first church building was founded in 1915 at 20th and Connecticut streets in Gary, Indiana. ==== The 1920s ==== At the beginning of the 1920s internal provincial divisiveness within the congregation was so great that it led to a division. Even the Circle of Serbian Sisters, an auxiliary organization of the church, split. A second parish was founded, known as Holy Resurrection, at 39th and Washington Streets in the Glen Park section of Gary, Indiana.<ref name=":5" /> Because living conditions changed, the membership of the St. Sava Church-School Congregation amended its By-laws at an Annual Meeting March 7, 1927.<ref name=":1" /> ==== The 1930s ==== Following a unification of the split that occurred within the congregation in the early 1920s, the parish built "one of the most Serbian of Churches and centers on this continent"<ref name=":5" /> in the late 1930s. In 1939 the congregation moved north to Its new, second location at 13th and Connecticut Streets due to the need for a larger facility that was more centrally located. ==== The 1950s ==== The St. Sava Church-School Congregation again amended its By-laws December 23, 1956, this time at an Extraordinary Membership Meeting.<ref name=":1" /> When the State of Indiana changed its laws for church and religious organizations March 3, 1943, the St. Sava Church-School Congregation was again incorporated June 14, 1957.<ref name=":1" /> ==== The 1960s ==== In the beginning of the 1960s, a portion of the membership separated itself from the congregation at St. Sava and formed the Macedonian Orthodox Church where a religious and cultural center was established in Crown Point, Indiana.<ref name=":5" /> In 1963 a schism at the highest levels of the Serbian Orthodox Church resulted in the defrockment of His Grace Bishop Dionisije and a division among the Serbian Orthodox faithful in Diaspora. What followed was a bitter conflict with attendant lawsuits in civil courts for nearly three decades. Locally, this schism also resulted in a portion of the membership separating itself from the St. Sava Church-School Congregation and forming the new Church-School Congregation of St. Elijah which established a church and cultural center in Crown Point, Indiana.<ref name=":5" /> Also in the early 1960s, the parish priest of St. Sava Church Hieromonk Petar Bankerovic, later Bishop of Australia-New Zealand, was attacked and viciously beaten outside of the church which left him with physical impairments which existed for the rest of his life.<ref name=":5" /> ==== The 1970s ==== In 1971 the State of Indiana changed its laws for church and religious organizations once again, necessitating the St. Sava Church-School Congregation to be incorporated again February 27, 1974.<ref name=":1" /> The second building of the congregation, dedicated in 1939, remained intact until an fire destroyed it in the late afternoon and early evening February 16, 1978.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book|title=Oplenac Consecration|last=|first=|publisher=Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church - Merrillville, Indiana|year=1991|isbn=|location=|pages=30–36|chapter=The Parish of St. Sava: 1978-1991}}</ref> The entire Church complex including each Church item, a large library, an administrative office, a social hall, caretakers quarters, the Parish Priest Home and furnishing were all lost, with the exception of the Holy Relics.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> Without any lapse in the Church’s [[Divine Liturgy|liturgical]] services, worship resumed the following Sunday after the fire, February 19, 1978 when His Grace Bishop Iriney brought new [[Antimins]] (a Corporal - a silk cloth portraying the Body of Jesus Christ being placed into the Tomb) and gave His blessing so that the Divine Liturgy could be celebrated on an ordinary table covered with a plain cloth in the Saint Sava Serbian Hall which was located on property that also contained the church picnic grounds on 49th Avenue in [[Hobart, Indiana]].<ref name=":6" /> In the weeks following the fire, the small hall at the facilities in Hobart, Indiana was completely converted into a chapel in less than 45 days under the supervision of Peter Erkman and Dragan Adamovich during the presidency of Zivojin Cokic of the church Executive Board.<ref name=":6" /> That small chapel would continue to be the spiritual center for the church until the consecration of the new church building in 1991 which located in Merrillville, Indiana. At the excavation of the ruins of the burned St. Sava Church at 13th and Connecticut Streets in Gary, Indiana, three youths, Louis Milicich, Steven Baroevich, and John Derado found the ruins of the Holy Corporal where the [[Relic|Holy Relics]], which were sewn into the Holy Corporal by the Bishop, were found intact.<ref name=":6" /> Also at the excavation, Radmila Milivojevich, president and member of the Circle of Serbian Sisters at St. Sava, found the undamaged metal box which contained the Holy Relics placed in the [[Altar|Holy Table]] by the Bishop at the Consecration of the Church in 1938.<ref name=":6" /> At the Annual Membership Meeting February 26, 1978, the Congregation had resolved, "...to find a suitable construction site, inquire about the price, review the environment, and learn all details pertinent to building a new church."<ref name=":6" /> Upon the recommendation of the Executive Board, the Extraordinary Membership Assembly voted on April 8, 1978 "...to purchase 140 acres of land on 9191 Mississippi Street in Merrillville, Indiana at $6,000 per acre for a total of $833,712 with an 8% annual interest on the loan. President Zivojin Cokic and the Executive Board signed the contract with Guaranteed Life Insurance Company and placed a deposit on June 9, 1978. Stevan and Zagorka Micic voluntarily guaranteed the terms of the contract using their personal collateral.<ref name=":6" /> ==== The 1980s ==== With President Cokic and the Executive Board, along with the work of Finance Chairman Nicholas Chabraja and all subordinate organizations and personnel, the loan for the property was liquidated in 19 months. On the Slava Day of St. Sava Sunday, January 27, 1980, the mortgage on the loan was burned so that the 140 acres of land on 9191 Mississippi Street in Merrillville, Indiana became the absolute property of the St. Sava Church-School Congregation.<ref name=":6" /> Due to an increase in membership and the number of duties including successful progress and added administrative needs in the Church-School Congregation, the Extraordinary Membership Assembly accepted and affirmed new By-laws May 16, 1982.<ref name=":1" /> Members of the 1982 By-laws Committee were Steve Boljanich, Chairman; Very Rev. Fr. Jovan Todorovich, Secretary; Nick Chabraja, Member (Past President); Nick Sever, Member (Past President); Zivojin Cokic, Member (Past President). The president of the Executive Board of the church at the time was Joe Sever and the secretary of the Executive Board was Alexander Churchich<ref name=":1" /> The By-laws for the St. Sava Church-School Congregation were approved by Bishop Irinej at The Most Holy Mother of God Monastery in Third Lake, Illinois January 31, 1983.<ref name=":1" /> The By-laws which were last approved by the Church-School Congregation Membership in 1982 and approved by the Bishop in 1983 are still in use as of 2016. Sunday, June 5, 1983 was the day when the Executive Board of St. Sava chose the precise spot for the construction site on 9191 Mississippi Street in Merrillville, Indiana, and the Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Iriney was invited to bless the ground and place the Cross. ==== The 1990s ==== The chapel in the Saint Sava Serbian Hall in Hobart, Indiana served as the primary location of liturgical services until the consecration of the new church building in 1991 in Merrillville, Indiana.<ref name=":0" /> === Present day === The present church was built on {{convert|140|acre}} at 9191 Mississippi Street in Merrillville on land purchased by the Church-School Congregation following the fire of the church at 13th and Connecticut Streets in Gary. During the interim years of 1978 through 1991, while the Liturgy was still being performed in the Chapel, the priest and the church board undertook plans to finance and erect what would be a "once-in-a-lifetime endeavor" constructing the "church of our dreams", which was consecrated in 1991.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title = Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church Visitor's Guide|last = |first = |publisher = Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church|year = 2001|isbn = |location = Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Merrillville, Indiana|pages = }}</ref> The building uses American-made steel manufactured in [[Lake County, Indiana]] and Indiana limestone from [[Bedford, Indiana]], with Appalachian oak wood throughout. In November 2014 the church was able to complete construction of the new Pavilion in time to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the church. The Pavilion complex with its main assembly area, stage, kitchen, bar, and storage areas compose more than {{convert|17000|sqft}} overall, with the central open floor space taking up nearly {{convert|14000|sqft}} of the building and allowing for a wide variety of physical layouts for many types of large scale events. One of the most striking features of the Pavilion is the unique use of full-length, floor-to-ceiling accordion-style window/doors which line the length of the main exterior walls of the large central assembly area, offering seamless transition from the comfort of the central hall to the beauty of the outside environment. These unique accordion window/doors provide access to the two large patio areas that exist for additional outdoor event space usage which face scenic wooded areas towards the back side of the pavilion facility. The state-of-the-art, contemporary venue is available for rental to the general public for weddings, business conferences, tradeshows, and other local events requiring a large scale venue space, but it also serves as a critical central meeting place for the congregation to host large scale cultural events such as the annual "Serb Fest" which takes place each summer and other special events throughout the year like the youth folklore group's annual Intercultural Dance Festival<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/community/chi-ugc-article-intercultural-dance-fest-draws-over-400-peopl-2015-05-04-story.html|title=Intercultural Dance Fest Draws Over 400 People|last=Grimsgard|first=Barb|website=Post-Tribune|access-date=2016-03-04}}</ref> or the Children's Choir Festival hosting youth choral talent from around the midwest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/community/chi-ugc-article-st-sava-church-hosts-childrens-choir-festiv-2016-03-14-story.html|title=St. Sava Church hosts Children's Choir Festival - Saturday, Mar. 12|last=Kosovich|first=Christopher|website=Lake County News-Sun|access-date=2016-03-14}}</ref> == Official languages == The official languages of the Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church-School Congregation are [[Serbian language|Serbian]] ([[Cyrillic script|Cyrillic Alphabet]]) and [[English language|English]]; and the [[Sacred language|Liturgical languages]] are [[Church Slavonic language|Church-Slavonic]], Serbian, and English.<ref name=":1" /> == Aim of the Church-School Congregation == The purposes of the Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church-School Congregation are, according to its by-laws:<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=By-laws of the Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church-School Congregation|last=|first=|publisher=Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church|year=1982|isbn=|location=|pages=}}</ref> # to protect, preserve and perpetuate the true teaching of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Faith]], together with all [[Serb traditions|Serbian traditions]] and customs; # to accept persons into the Holy Orthodox Faith through [[Baptism|Holy Baptism]] and to guide them into family life through marriage according to the teachings and traditions of the Church; # to, through appropriate teaching, edify the believers towards spiritual and moral perfection, to foster mutual brotherly love and unity, and to mold worthy and loyal citizens of these [[United States|United States of America]], # to erect and maintain a church and all appurtenant annexes pertinent to the spiritual, cultural, educational, national, athletic and social needs of its faithful; # to establish and maintain Church and Serbian Schools and to help organize programs for the spiritual and moral upbringing of the children and youth; # to preach and practice charity as a high ideal of our [[Christianity|Christian religion]]; # to preserve our ancestral tradition of interring members of our church who depart this life; # to cooperate and maintain good relations with other church-school congregations within our [[Diocese of New Gracanica – Midwestern America|Diocese of New Gracanica and Midwestern America]]. == Priests == The following have served as priests at St. Sava Church since its founding. The Symbol † Denotes Memory Eternal.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Saint Sava Church Parish Priests|url = http://www.saintsava.net/welcome-to-saint-sava-merrillville-indiana/about-saint-sava-church/saint-sava-church-parish-priests/|website = Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church - Merrillville, Indiana|access-date = 2016-02-18|language = en-US}}</ref> # † Reverend Dushan Bogich # † Reverend Paul Veljkov # † Reverend Milan Jugovich # † Reverend Philip Sredanovich # † Reverend Paul Veljkov # † Reverend Petar Stijachich # † Reverend Bogoljub Gakovich # † Reverend Paul Markovich # † Very Reverend Dushan Shoukletovich # † Reverend Vladmir Mrvichin # † Very Reverend Svetozar Radovanovich # † Very Reverend Dushan Shoukletovich # Very Reverend Stavrophor Velimir Petakovich # † Bishop Peter Bankerovich ''(served from 1963-1970)''<ref>{{Cite web|title = Remembering "Father Peter"|url = http://www.saintsava.net/remembering-father-peter/|website = Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church - Merrillville, Indiana|access-date = 2016-02-18|language = en-US}}</ref> # Very Reverend Stavrophor Jovan Todorovich ''(served from 1970-2007)''<ref>{{Cite web|title = Tribute To The Very Reverend Father Jovan Todorovich|url = http://capitolwords.org/date/2007/01/05/E16_tribute-to-the-very-reverend-father-jovan-todorovi/|website = Capitol Words|access-date = 2016-02-18}}</ref> # Reverend Marko Matic ''(served from 2007–Present)''<ref>{{Cite web|title = Guiding spirit: Marko Matic|url = http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/guiding-spirit-marko-matic/article_86155be5-37b9-52f7-af45-9ad11d78d800.html|website = nwitimes.com|access-date = 2016-02-18}}</ref> == Connection with Saint Varnava (Barnabas) the New Confessor == [[Varnava Nastić|Saint Varnava]] was the first American-born Serbian to be proclaimed an Orthodox saint. Born with the [[Secularity|secular]] name Vojislav Nastic in Gary, Indiana in 1914, he lived with his family in a home near 12th Avenue and Madison Street and was the first person baptized at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church when it was located in Gary, Indiana <ref>{{Cite web|title = Serbian church to honor Gary-born St. Varnava|url = http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/gary/serbian-church-to-honor-gary-born-st-varnava/article_59a68bb0-72af-5dc8-ba04-17adac7f2376.html|website = nwitimes.com|access-date = 2016-02-17|first = Chas|last = Reilly}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Blessings conferred on saint from Gary; St. Confessor Varnava - Post-Tribune (IN) {{!}} HighBeam Research|url = https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-115E0CC43831E510.html|website = www.highbeam.com|access-date = 2016-02-18}}</ref> where he also served as an altar boy.<ref name=":2"/><ref name=":3" /> A play was written and produced in January 1965 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church about Bishop Varnava, "Martyr to Communism," and was acted in the church auditorium by children to acquaint them with his life and death. The author of the play was Daisy Wuletich, Gary-born, who had visited Bishop Varnava when he was living in Serbia drew upon her personal letters of the Bishop, from an account of the trial, and her personal observations.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Crisis in Urban Schools: A Book of Readings for the Beginning Urban Teacher|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=MEx1QSTwtMcC|publisher = Ardent Media|date = 1974-01-01|isbn = 9780842202985|language = en|first = Thomas E.|last = Glass|pages = 34–35}}</ref> Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church maintained connection with Varnava throughout his life. More than 40 years before Varnava was canonized as a Saint, St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church sought his release from the Tito regime who imprisoned Varnava in 1948 for preaching against the Communist way of life in Yugoslavia.<ref name=":4" /> It was hoped that Varnava would be released and able to return to the United States for the 50th Anniversary of the Church in 1964.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1964/11/15/page/IND_A4/article/gary-orthodox-church-will-mark-half-century | title = Gary Orthodox Church Will Mark Half Century (November 15, 1964) | access-date = 2016-02-26 }}</ref> Sadly, his release was not granted from prison and he was not able to attend. == Historical Society and Museum == The Church maintains a museum in the north wing of the church building complex that is organized by the Historical Society of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church (Merrillville, Indiana) and is open to the public during special events and by appointment. The society has featured exhibits through the years highlighting Serbs in the Steel Mills, Serbian Weddings, Serbian Sisters Circle, Serbs in Sports, Serbs in the Military, and other traveling exhibits.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rebich|first=Cissy|date=2013-01-16|title=From SNF General Manager|url=http://www.snflife.org/Files/Admin/SrbobranPastIssues/011613serb1WEB.pdf|journal=American Srbobran|publisher=Serb National Federation|volume=MMVXIII|issue=|pages=3 and 8|doi=|pmid=|access-date=2016-03-07}}</ref> Members of the Historical Society also help maintain a special section of the museum dedicated to the Karageorge Choir of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church (Merrillville, Indiana) which is located in the choir loft in the central part of the church. == Notable church sponsors == * Professor [[Mihajlo Pupin]] was Sponsor for the consecration of the first church building of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church when it was located at 20th and Connecticut Streets in Gary.<ref name=":0" /> * Inventor [[Nikola Tesla]] was Sponsor for the consecration of the second church building of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church when it was located at 13th and Connecticut Streets in Gary, Indiana.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title = St. Sava parish celebrates 100 years|url = http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/st-sava-parish-celebrates-years/article_641fcac4-b3c3-5541-8689-aba786d8fd4e.html|website = nwitimes.com|access-date = 2016-02-17|first = Chas|last = Reilly}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Free Tesla exhibit open during St. Sava Serb Fest|url = http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/merrillville/free-tesla-exhibit-open-during-st-sava-serb-fest/article_6cfe4b36-2deb-5a0d-9685-6d994eaced6c.html|website = nwitimes.com|access-date = 2016-02-18|first = Chas|last = Reilly}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Culture|url = http://www.eserbia.org/culture/lectures/288-nikola-tesla-and-the-serbian-orthodox-church-a-st-sava-s-day-reflection|website = www.eserbia.org|access-date = 2016-02-18|last = Vladimir}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = Serbs in Chicagoland|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=o7VhCgAAQBAJ|publisher = Arcadia Publishing|date = 2015-08-31|isbn = 9781467112307|language = en|first = Marina|last = Marich}}</ref> == Notable members == * [[Varnava Nastić|Saint Varnava (Barnabas) the New Confessor]] (Serbian: Свети Варнава Нови Исповједник), also known as Varnava of Hvosno was auxiliary bishop of Hvosno and is a saint of the Eastern Orthodox Church. His feast is October 30 on the [[Julian calendar]]. * Steve Barich (1923 – October 24, 1995) was a 2011 Tamburitza Association of America Hall of Fame Inductee (posthumously).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tamburitza.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=127&Itemid=88|title=Hall of Fame - Steve Barich|website=www.tamburitza.org|access-date=2016-03-07}}</ref> * [[Karl Malden]] (born Mladen George Sekulovich; March 22, 1912 – July 1, 2009) was an American actor.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Serbs in Chicagoland|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=hJagCgAAQBAJ|publisher = Arcadia Publishing|date = 2015-08-31|isbn = 9781439652985|language = en|first = Marina|last = Marich|page = 31}}</ref> * Milan Opacich (April 12, 1928 – January 21, 2013)<ref>{{Cite web|title = Milan Opacich's Obituary on The Times|url = http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nwitimes/obituary.aspx?n=milan-opacich&pid=162581147&fhid=4991|website = The Times|access-date = 2016-02-18}}</ref> was a Tamburitza instrument maker,<ref>{{Cite web|title = En Memoriam: Milan Opacich, 1928-2013 {{!}} Traditional Arts Indiana|url = http://www.traditionalartsindiana.org/en-memoriam-milan-opacich-1928-2013/|website = www.traditionalartsindiana.org|access-date = 2016-02-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Traditional Arts Indiana Artist (Teacher) - Opacich|url = http://www.indiana.edu/~tradarts/programs/masterartist_opacich.html|website = www.indiana.edu|access-date = 2016-02-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Milan Opacich – Masters of Traditional Arts|url = http://www.mastersoftraditionalarts.org/artists/254|website = www.mastersoftraditionalarts.org|access-date = 2016-02-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = Crisis in Urban Schools: A Book of Readings for the Beginning Urban Teacher|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=MEx1QSTwtMcC|publisher = Ardent Media|date = 1974-01-01|isbn = 9780842202985|language = en|first = Thomas E.|last = Glass|page = 35}}</ref> 2002 Tamburitza Association of America Hall of Fame Inductee,<ref>{{Cite web|title = TAA Hall of Famer|url = http://www.tamburitza.org/bios/opacich.html|website = www.tamburitza.org|access-date = 2016-02-18}}</ref> and a [[National Heritage Fellowship|2004 National Heritage Fellowship Awardee]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = NEA National Heritage Fellowships {{!}} NEA|url = https://www.arts.gov/honors/heritage/fellows/milan-opacich|website = www.arts.gov|access-date = 2016-02-17}}</ref> * [[Nick Strincevich|Nicholas Strincevich]] (March 1, 1915 – November 11, 2011)<ref>{{Cite web|title = Nick Strincevich's Obituary on The Times|url = http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nwitimes/obituary.aspx?n=nick-strincevich&pid=154564725|website = The Times|access-date = 2016-02-18}}</ref> was an American Major League baseball player.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Nick Strincevich Statistics and History {{!}} Baseball-Reference.com|url = http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/strinni01.shtml|website = Baseball-Reference.com|access-date = 2016-02-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Nick Strincevich|url = http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/18156/nick-strincevich|website = ESPN.com|access-date = 2016-02-18}}</ref> * Olga Velazquez in 2006 was the [[List of first female mayors|first woman elected mayor]] of [[Portage, Indiana|Portage]], Indiana.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Velazquez showed her ability at St. Sava Serbian Church|url = http://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/mailbag/velazquez-showed-her-ability-at-st-sava-serbian-church/article_163ac117-2ba1-5f88-9f4b-0c6221e09ff2.html|website = nwitimes.com|access-date = 2016-02-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = It's Christmas Day for Orthodox faithful|url = http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/it-s-christmas-day-for-orthodox-faithful/article_ca959fbc-00e7-5d88-b4bf-71e0d9c0bf36.html|website = nwitimes.com|access-date = 2016-02-18|first = Deborah|last = Laverty}}</ref> == References == <references /> == External links == * [http://www.saintsava.net Official website] {{Serbian Orthodox churches|state=collapsed}} [[Category:Eastern Orthodoxy in Indiana]] [[Category:Serbian Orthodox churches in the United States]] [[Category:Serbian-American history]] [[Category:Churches completed in 1991]] [[Category:Churches in Lake County, Indiana]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Lake County, Indiana]] [[Category:Visitor attractions in Lake County, Indiana]] [[Category:Churches in Indiana]] [[Category:Merrillville, Indiana]]'