Because the "Y" and "J" in Slovak script were written similarly, Little Falls became the home of a large number of Americans of Slovak descent.
Mrs. Anna Mocko Ragan, the first Slovak to settle in Little Falls, New York, arrived in New York City from Myjava, Slovakia and then went to Minnesota, where she remained about a year. She had friends and acquaintances in New Jersey, who urged her to join them there. Miss Mocko wrote down the name of the destination to which she desired to purchase a railroad ticket, namely, to Little Falls, N.J. But the Minnesota ticket agent mistook the "J" for a "Y" and issued her passage to the city of the same name,but in New York State!
The friendly character of the townspeople and the opportunity for immediate employment prompted Miss Mocko to remain rather than journey to Little Falls, New Jersey. Information concerning the opportunities of employment, the similarity of the countryside to her native Myjava, the friendliness of the people were transmitted in her correspondence to friends and relatives overseas. Thus began the Slovak migration to this city. The only assets the newcomers brought with them were their faith in God and a will to work. The number of Slovaks residing here was small and there were very few Slovak speaking Lutheran ministers in the United States but this did not deter the faithful from feeding their souls with the Bread of Life. The first organized devotions were held in the home of Stephen Sadlon on German Street (now Flint Ave.) As the numbers grew larger, it became more urgent to seek a larger and more convenient place of worship.The following is a list of events that shaped the history of Holy Trinity: 1897: First church services were held in Christ Lutheran Church on Petrie Street conducted by the Rev. Ludevit Novomesky of Newark, New Jersey.
1900: The Rev. Karl Houser of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania conducted services and later he urged the people to organize themselves into a congregation and elect officers.
*1903: On August 2nd, the congregation of the newly formed Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, consisting of 138 members, was organized.
1907: On December 8, the Constitution and By-laws were submitted to the congregation, for approval and acceptance, causing a serious difference of
opinion, resulting in the withdrawal of their membership by 67 people.
(Many rejoined at a later date.)
*1912: On May 14, ground was broken and construction of the church building at 559 EastJefferson Street was begun.
On June 23, the cornerstone was laid in the presence of the entire congregation.
*1913: On May 13, the church building was dedicated as a house of God.
1937: First English Service conducted.
1940: First English Sunday School was organized.
1975: Ground-breaking Service held for the construction of a new church building at 512East Gansvoort Street.
*1975: On October 26, the new and present church building was dedicated as a house of God.
1996: On December1 the last Slovak language service, at Holy Trinity, was held. Pastors called to Holy Trinity: Rev. Paul Putra : 1914 - 1920
Rev. Martin Slabey : 1921 - 1924
Rev. Thomas J. Smrka : 1925 - 1934
Rev. George Billy : 1934 - 1959
Rev. John S. Klc : 1959 - 1970
Rev. Kenneth Zindle : 1971 - 1979
Rev. Steven Middernacht : 1972 - 1979
Rev. John Gallagher : 1979 - 1989
Rev. David M. Blank : 1989 - 2000
Rev. Carl Evans : 2002 - 2008 |
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