TITLE Postcard of Exterior and Interior of Dr. Martin Luther Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church
DATE OF ORIGINAL Unknown - Duplicate of 1st Ilasco postmark of September 18, 1903 on reverse side - but church was not built until 1911
DATE OF DIGITAL 2006-2
DESCRIPTION ILASCO, MO -  There were a large number of Ilascans who immigrated from Slovakia between the years 1903-1904.  Although they wanted all that America promised them, they were also very concerned that they maintain their memories and heritage from the old country.  Although the Slovak community as a whole had organized first as the Charles Kuzmany Society # 139 and later the National Slovak Society Lodge #573, the Lutheran Slovaks still thought something was missing from their lives.  Therefore, in 1911 they formed the Dr. Martin Luther Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church. It was built on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. Ben E. Hulse.  The bell tower, seen on left, was very instrumental in Slovak lives.  It was rung for two special purposes : at 6 p.m. it was rung to signal the end of the working day ; and, it was rung whenever a Ilascan Slovak of any faith died.  The church was demolished in 1971 ; the beautiful altar, seen on the right, was given to the Luther Manor Nursing Home in Hannibal, Mo.
CREATOR Unknown
CONTRIBUTOR Polc, David
PUBLISHER Hannibal Free Public Library (Hannibal, Mo.)
SUBJECT Dr. Martin Luther Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church (Ilasco, Mo.)
SUBJECT Hulse, Ben E.
SUBJECT Immigrants, Slovak -- Religious rites and customs.
ORIGINAL FORMAT Black and white postcard, 5 1/2" by 3 1/2 ; church exterior, 2 1/2" by 3" ; church interior, 2 1/2" by 2 3/4".
DIGITAL FORMAT jpg
IDENTIFIER C10014