About First Catholic Slovak Union
“Providing Personal Service and Trust Since 1890”
O n September 4, 1890, twelve men under the leadership of Father Stephen Furdek of Cleveland, Ohio, gathered at the home of Jacob Gruss on Corwin Avenue in Cleveland and formed the First Catholic Slovak Union. This organization, the second oldest Slovak fraternal society in the United States, goes by the shortened name of Jednota, which in Slovak means union or fraternity. The First Catholic Slovak Union is a “union” of hundreds of branches throughout the United States and Canada. It grew from its 320 member beginning in 1890 to a peak in 1965 of approximately 105,000 members, making it then the largest Slovak fraternal organization in the world. At that time insurance in force was $116 million with approximately $30 million in assets. Today the Jednota has approximately $333 million of insurance in force and over $350 million in assets. While Jednota was founded by men, today 40% of our members are women.
B ut these statistics only tell part of the story. The First Catholic Slovak Union has been the mainstay and promoter of Slovak culture and Catholic fraternal life for over a century. The Catholic faith has always been close to the hearts of a large majority of Slovak American people. During the 1890’s and early years of this century, the Jednota branches were instrumental in the founding of hundreds of Catholic parishes in the United States and Canada. Since then, First Catholic Slovak Union has supported the Slovak clergy in many ways and has continued to foster Catholic life.
I n 1965, the FCSU donated the Jednota Chapel of Our Mother of Sorrows at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. This award winning structure is the most visited chapel on the Shrine. During the same period, the society contributed $100,000 to the Slovak Institute in Rome, set up to train Slovak priests. The Jednota was also involved in the 1920s with the founding of Saint Cyril Academy in Danville, Pennsylvania, and Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Ohio, both designed to educate the children of Slovak immigrants.
F or many years, too, the First Catholic Slovak Union has awarded college scholarships to deserving members. Currently the program grants 75 scholarships annually. The program is available to graduating high school seniors who are enrolled in a college or university. The First Catholic Slovak Union also supports the Jednota Benevolent Foundation, Inc. This Foundation annually awards up to ten one-time scholarships.
T he First Catholic Slovak Union has provided support to the family in many ways over the past century. In its early years, the FCSU maintained a “Poor Fund” to care for widows and orphaned children. Then, in 1914, it opened the Jednota Home and Immaculate Conception School in Middletown, Pennsylvania, for orphaned children of members. The orphanage was constructed on land purchased by Father Furdek in Middletown known as the Jednota Estates. The home and school were in operation from 1941 until 1969. Today, these 300 acres are gradually being developed by the Society for the benefits of its members.
T he FCSU was instrumental in helping to found the religious order of nuns, known as the Sisters of Saint Cyril and Methodius. The order’s first motherhouse was located on the Jednota Estates. In later years the order relocated to Danville, Pennsylvania, which is the site of the Jankola Library and Slovak Museum. They exist to promote and preserve Slovak cultural life by providing books and exhibiting artifacts that pertain to Slovak history, language, literature, fine arts, spirituality and science for all people.
B eginning in 1891 and continuously since, the FCSU has published its renowned bilingual newspaper, Jednota, which is today read not only by members but by people interested in Catholic and Slovak life in the United States and in other parts of the world. During the communist era, the Jednota Press was one of the few places in the world that printed Slovak Catholic literature. Over the past century, the First Catholic Slovak Union has published scores of books and periodicals ranging from religion to literature, history, and language. Through its newspaper, publications, and leadership, the Jednota, since its inception, has tirelessly and vigorously championed the fight for Slovak independence which culminates in the birth of the Slovak Republic in 1993.
T oday the First Catholic Slovak Union’s portfolio offers a wide array of insurance coverage and annuity products comparable to the best known insurance providers in both variety and cost. We also maintain a website, www.fcsu.com, which offers our members the ability to download miscellaneous forms and applications, view all of our available plans, and even create their own specific quote.
W hat makes the FCSU unique and special, however, are the fraternal and cultural aspects it offers to its policyholders. The Jednota sponsors a wide range of fraternal activities including bowling leagues, bowling and golf tournaments, traditional Slovak Christmas Eve dinners, dances, communion breakfasts, and cultural programs. Its aim in the 21st century is not only to protect the family, but to enlighten and uplift it.
T hroughout its history the main thread holding the Jednota together was and is service to its members which promotes their spiritual well being. The First Catholic Slovak Union is more than an insurance company. Jednota firmly believes in the principle: “The true recipient of a gift is the giver.”
E ducation, faith, and service gives us equality, fraternalism, and freedom. In a word, JEDNOTA.
