St. Nikola Church (Cudahy, Wisconsin)
St. Nikola Church in Cudahy, Wisconsin is a parish of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America diocese of New Gracanica and Midwestern America. Established in 1963, the congregation bought a church building on East Squire Street, which is where the church remains to this day. In 2008, this building suffered extensive damage from an electrical fire, and after repairs and renovations, the church was re-consecrated in 2010.
History
St. Nikola Church was founded in 1963 to serve the area between the already-established Serbian Orthodox Churches of St. Sava Cathedral in Milwaukee and St. George Church in Racine where Serbian Orthodox Churches were already established. The church building, located in the Milwaukee suburb of Cudahy, was purchased from the Knights of Pithias in that year for $15,900.
On October 20, 2008, the Church building of St. Nikola suffered extensive damage from a fire. Initially, it was believed candles may have been to blame, but the investigation revealed that it was an electrical fire that started beween the basement and the main floor of the church. Because of the smoke, the church needed to be gutted, revealing further problems with the electric wiring. The total cost of repair and renovation totalled about $800,000, the majority of which was covered by insurance. However, about $80,000 of non-insurance money was used to restore St. Nikola. Due to the extensive work, St. Nikola was re-consecrated on April 17, 2010.
St. Nikola has many active groups and activities. Their dance troupe has participated in the Milwaukee-area Holiday Folk Fair International for over 50 years.
In 2014, shortly before his retirement, Fr. Marko Todorovich celebrated his 50th anniversary as St. Nikola Church's priest.
St. Nikola also owns and maintains a piece of property south of Cudahy in Caledonia, Wisconsin, where a chapel, cemetery, and picnic area can be found.
Sources
- Official Website
- History - The Start
- St. Nikola Church rises from the ashes Cudahy Now; 11 February 2009
- St. Nikola’s new luster inspires pride Johnson, Annysa; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; April 16, 2010
- St. Nikola Church in Cudahy, Wisconsin Consecrated Serbian Orthodox Church Diocese of New Gracanica-Midwestern America; April 30, 2010
- St. Nikola Serbian Orthodox Church Marks 50 Years as a Church and 50 Years at Holiday Folk Fair International Amoroso, Dave; Wauwatosa Now, November 13, 2013
- Official Notice and Agenda for the Regular Meeting of the Common Council of the City of Cudahy, Wisconsin May 6, 2014
