Slovak Russian Orthodox Church
Did you know Slovak, Arkansas, founded in 1894, not only had a Catholic and Lutheran church, but a Russian Orthodox as well?!
The Russian Orthodox Church originally was held at founding father John Brasko’s home until 1918.
Mr. Brasko served as first deacon of the church and his family held a strong role in the community faith. Mr. Brasko’s descendants are still important members of Slovaktown.
I had the pleasure of meeting with Annette Sterl (née Brasko) at the annual Slovak Heritage Day to talk about her ancestors important role in the founding of the town. Annette has maintained and preserved many of her family photographs, journals and documents, which will be a part of the complied archive UpRooted is working with the town to create.
In 1942 the church was struck by lightening and burned down. But the dedicated parishioners rebuilt.
Here is the 1942 rebuilt church during the dedication event.
The small girl in the middle front row is Mrs Betty Morris (née Prislovsky) one of the many descendants of the early settlers who is working to keep the legacies alive today!
1942 Church Dedication Mass
The church closed it doors in 1952 due to many of the parishioners passing away or others moving out of area. The remaining parishioners joined the local Catholic or Lutheran churches. Betty Prislovsky recalls that “…we were one Slavic religion” meaning all were excepted to preach and pray together as fellow Slavs, regardless of the specific practices.
True to the community mentality of Slovaktown, the Prislovsky’s family helped physically move the church to neighboring Stuttgart, Arkansas for the Alban’s Episcopal Church to use. It can still be found there to this day attached to the back of the modern section of the church.
I am in communication with a Rusyn Orthodox researcher that has found connections between Slovaktown’s Parrish and a Church in Oklahoma. I look forward to the collaboration with the community and researches to help shed more light this history!
The cemetery stills stands in honor of the founding founders and their families.
We have Betty Prislovsky to thank for sharing these photos and first hand memories with us. It was particularly meaningful to speak with Betty as she reminded me that she is one of the last of her family that lived much of this history. Her nephews are still in Slovaktown today farming the very same land that her father purchases way back in the early 1900s.
Prislovsky Brothers Farm received Century Farm status for 100 years of family farming.
Betty has a mission to preserve this history and I am grateful that she has let me into her life and community to help her in this mission. Thank you Betty.
I look forward to sharing more quick history bites with you as I learn more and work on the Slovak, Arkansas Documentary and Archiving Project!!