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  Christmas Pageant: December, 1953, St. Luke's Christian Day School, Nativity Scene

  St. Luke's students recreate the Nativity scene for the annual Christmas Pageant, December, 1953. Syliva Mikler is cast as Mary, the mother of Jesus and Billy Mikler as the wise man (white beard, striped crown). Ohter students are unidentified.

  
  

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  Christmas Pageant: December, 1954, St. Luke's Christian Day School

  Students of St. Luke's Christian Day School portray the Holy Family in the school's annual Christmas Pageant, December, 1954. Students were not identified in this photo from the school annual

  
  

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  Christmas Parade in Sanford,c. early 1950s

  A decorated float makes its way down the streets of Sanford during that city's annual Christmas Parade, c. 1950s. Unclear whether this was one of the many floats built by the parents, staff and students of St, Luke's Christian Day School, but seems to be one of the earliest ones entered in the parade.

  
  

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  Christmas Party

  A black and white image of a large group of people gathered outside celebrating a Christmas party. In the photo can be seen varieties of trees, some covered in Spanish moss, and also scrub palm trees. Beyond the crowd, across a dirt road, can be seen a open field next to white two-story house with a porch. The dirt road is lined on either side with a sidewalk. A male figure carrying something in his right hand can be seen stepping onto the sidewalk in front of the house. Telephone poles are also visible in the photograph. At the left of the image are ten benches which are set up at different angles, and about half are occupied by spectators. The crowd is making a semi-circle around a central figure, a man, and a table with baskets of unidentified goods on it. The crowd is made up of mostly male and female African American students, who are dressed in varieties of the school's white uniforms. Some adults are standing off to the side. The females are wearing long dresses and the men are wearing suit jackets and pants. The figure who is the focus is a tall woman who is wearing a long white shawl and white skirt. Next to her is a person sitting on a box of some sort, who appears to be dressed in a costume. They are next to the oversized table. Written on the front of the photograph in pen is "Christmas Party for the 'Around the World Story Hour Club'". On the back is printed in blue ink "26". The significance of this number is unknown. The photographer of the image is unknown.

  
  

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  Church and community signage-2015

  Photos taken in 2015 show the most recent signage... a digital display of events... on the church property and a road sign marking the unincorporated community of Slavia on 426, about a half mile south of St. Luke's

  
  

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  Church at the Crossroads- media coverage about St. Luke's church expansion. Oct. 1990

  In an article written by Mark Pankowski and published in the Seminole Extra section of "The Orlando Sentinel" on October 21, 1990, Rev. E.J. Rossow is interviewed about the congregation's dilemma in accommodating the 500 new members who joined St. Luke's during the 8 years of his ministry. The article's title, "Worshipers Face Tough Choice" sums up the dilemma that led to a compromise solution: to retain the portion of the brick church built in 1939, but to demolish the sections added in 1957 in order to have space for a large new sanctuary, offices and classrooms. A colored photo of the recently-remodeled altar area accompanied the article.

  
  

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  Church exterior, c. 1940

  Image of west side (main entrance) to brick church soon after it was erected in 1939. Likely the photo was taken c.1940 because some landscaping is already in place. The image shows a full vertical view of the steeple. Snapshot (courtesy: Judy Duda) was scanned at SLLS, 2001, for 90th anniversary display. The same image was used for the COVER of '50 Years of Grace and Mercy' (1962).

  
  

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  Church exterior, c. 1940

  Image of west side (main entrance) to brick church soon after it was erected in 1939. Likely the photo was taken c.1940 because some landscaping is already in place. The image shows a full vertical view of the steeple. Snapshot (courtesy: Judy Duda) was scanned at SLLS, 2001, for 90th anniversary display. The same image was used for the COVER of '50 Years of Grace and Mercy' (1962).

  
  

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  Church Leaders Meet in Temporary Space. 1990

  The church parsonage...even the kitchen area, formerly occupied by Pastor Kucharik and his wife, became meeting spaces for church leaders and staff after the "transept church" was remodeled to accommodate growing attendance in 1986. Seated at the table, with doughnuts and coffee to sustain them as they work, are (left to right) Willis Dettmer, Fred Wendt, Richard (Dick) Sawyer, and Steven R. Sidlik

  
  

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  Church Ledger Containing Names of Confirmands in Class of May 19, 1940

  Page from church ledger listing the names of members of the Confirmation Class of May 19,1940. Rev. S.M. Tuhy officiated at the first confirmation ceremony to be held in the brick church dedicated the previous year. Page from church ledger holding records from 1924 through 1950s. Scanned on Epson1000XL, at SLLC. Descriptions on this page were made in the Slovak language.

  
  

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  Church ledger page showing earliest weddings at St. Luke's

  A double page from a ledger kept from 1924-1959 in the Archives of St. Luke's Lutheran Church (in the Slovak language). This image shows that the first wedding to take place in Slavia was that of John (Jan) Duda to Katherine Mikler on June 24, 1928. The officiant was Rev. Vojtko, a visiting pastor. There would not be another wedding in the congregation for another 10 years, but the second generation of the Founding Families was growing up and there were a number of weddings in the late 1930s (3 took place in the little wooden church, 2 more in the new brick church) and 3 more by 1945. Rev. S.M. Tuhy, St. Luke's first resident pastor who arrived in 1934. He officiated at all of those ceremonies and kept the ledger updated for baptisms, confirmations, deaths and burials, as well as the pages for marriages. The detailed information was listed in columns (left to right) including: date of marriage; groom's name and that of his parents; groom's place of birth and current residence; place (town) of marriage; groom's 'faith'/denomination ("Ev.a.vyz", Slovak abbreviation for Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession was the usual entry); birthdate of groom. Also listed: names of bride's parents; place of bride's birth; bride's faith; birthdate of bride; names of witnesses to the wedding; name of pastor/officiant at the wedding. A small column remained for any special 'remarks.' For example, it was noted that the marriage ceremony of Joe L. Mikler to Ethel Shaddix on November 6, 1938 was to be performed in the English language since the bride was not of Slovak descent and would not understand the vows exchanged in a language foreign to her. Pages 100-101 in the "Matrika cirkev ev.aug vyz. Svateho Lukasa, Slavia Florida" (Record of the Church of the Augsburg Confession, St. Luke's, Slavia Florida) 1924-1958.

  
  

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  Church ledger records of confirmations 1924-1938

  Pages from the original church records (ledger), listing the confirmands in classes from 1924 through 1938. The thirteen students in St. Luke's first confirmation class studied the catechism with Vicar John Bajus (a pastoral intern), but were duly confirmed by Rev. L. A. Jarosi on July 20, 1924. Rev. Joseph Kolarik officiated at the confirmation of 5 students on February 27, 1927 and one student was confirmed by visiting pastor, Jan Vojtko on December 30, 1928. On Feb. 22, 1931, 5 young students were confirmed by visiting pastor, Rev. Joseph Kucharik. By the summer of 1934, St. Luke's had its own resident pastor (Rev. S.M. Tuhy) and he officiated at the ceremony for his first class of confirmands on August 12, 1934 and another class of three students on October 31, 1937. He also confirmed two adults, one in 1936 and another in 1938, while the congregation still held worship services in the wooden church. Pages scanned from ledger, or registry, maintained by St. Luke's Lutheran Church from 1924-1959. Information was recorded in the Slovak language until c. 1950.

  
  

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  Church ledger records of confirmations 1924-1938

  Pages from the original church records (ledger), listing the confirmands in classes from 1924 through 1938. The thirteen students in St. Luke's first confirmation class studied the catechism with Vicar John Bajus (a pastoral intern), but were duly confirmed by Rev. L. A. Jarosi on July 20, 1924. Rev. Joseph Kolarik officiated at the confirmation of 5 students on February 27, 1927 and one student was confirmed by visiting pastor, Jan Vojtko on December 30, 1928. On Feb. 22, 1931, 5 young students were confirmed by visiting pastor, Rev. Joseph Kucharik. By the summer of 1934, St. Luke's had its own resident pastor (Rev. S.M. Tuhy) and he officiated at the ceremony for his first class of confirmands on August 12, 1934 and another class of three students on October 31, 1937. He also confirmed two adults, one in 1936 and another in 1938, while the congregation still held worship services in the wooden church. Pages scanned from ledger, or registry, maintained by St. Luke's Lutheran Church from 1924-1959. Information was recorded in the Slovak language until c. 1950.

  
  

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  Church ledger records of confirmations 1924-1938

  Pages from the original church records (ledger), listing the confirmands in classes from 1924 through 1938. The thirteen students in St. Luke's first confirmation class studied the catechism with Vicar John Bajus (a pastoral intern), but were duly confirmed by Rev. L. A. Jarosi on July 20, 1924. Rev. Joseph Kolarik officiated at the confirmation of 5 students on February 27, 1927 and one student was confirmed by visiting pastor, Jan Vojtko on December 30, 1928. On Feb. 22, 1931, 5 young students were confirmed by visiting pastor, Rev. Joseph Kucharik. By the summer of 1934, St. Luke's had its own resident pastor (Rev. S.M. Tuhy) and he officiated at the ceremony for his first class of confirmands on August 12, 1934 and another class of three students on October 31, 1937. He also confirmed two adults, one in 1936 and another in 1938, while the congregation still held worship services in the wooden church. Pages scanned from ledger, or registry, maintained by St. Luke's Lutheran Church from 1924-1959. Information was recorded in the Slovak language until c. 1950.

  
  

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  Church ledger records of confirmations 1924-1938

  Pages from the original church records (ledger), listing the confirmands in classes from 1924 through 1938. The thirteen students in St. Luke's first confirmation class studied the catechism with Vicar John Bajus (a pastoral intern), but were duly confirmed by Rev. L. A. Jarosi on July 20, 1924. Rev. Joseph Kolarik officiated at the confirmation of 5 students on February 27, 1927 and one student was confirmed by visiting pastor, Jan Vojtko on December 30, 1928. On Feb. 22, 1931, 5 young students were confirmed by visiting pastor, Rev. Joseph Kucharik. By the summer of 1934, St. Luke's had its own resident pastor (Rev. S.M. Tuhy) and he officiated at the ceremony for his first class of confirmands on August 12, 1934 and another class of three students on October 31, 1937. He also confirmed two adults, one in 1936 and another in 1938, while the congregation still held worship services in the wooden church. Pages scanned from ledger, or registry, maintained by St. Luke's Lutheran Church from 1924-1959. Information was recorded in the Slovak language until c. 1950.

  
  

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  Church ledger records of confirmations 1924-1938

  Pages from the original church records (ledger), listing the confirmands in classes from 1924 through 1938. The thirteen students in St. Luke's first confirmation class studied the catechism with Vicar John Bajus (a pastoral intern), but were duly confirmed by Rev. L. A. Jarosi on July 20, 1924. Rev. Joseph Kolarik officiated at the confirmation of 5 students on February 27, 1927 and one student was confirmed by visiting pastor, Jan Vojtko on December 30, 1928. On Feb. 22, 1931, 5 young students were confirmed by visiting pastor, Rev. Joseph Kucharik. By the summer of 1934, St. Luke's had its own resident pastor (Rev. S.M. Tuhy) and he officiated at the ceremony for his first class of confirmands on August 12, 1934 and another class of three students on October 31, 1937. He also confirmed two adults, one in 1936 and another in 1938, while the congregation still held worship services in the wooden church. Pages scanned from ledger, or registry, maintained by St. Luke's Lutheran Church from 1924-1959. Information was recorded in the Slovak language until c. 1950.

  
  

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  Church music groups rehearse, c.1987

  St. Luke's Senior Choir, c. 1987, rehearses in the south transept of the brick church, as it appeared in 1987. The previous year, the church offices had been moved to the old parsonage and the south transept of the church was then remodeled for use as additional seating for Sunday worship. The Handbell Choir, also under the direction of Ms. Ruth Wiedenmann,rehearsed and performed in that new space during the few years before the (1957)addition was demolished to make room for the construction of the new sanctuary.

  
  

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  Church Office (Former Parsonage) 1991

  View of the church offices (formerly, the parsonage) as the building appeared in 1991, shortly before it was removed from the property for the construction project.

  
  

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  Church Officers and Elders Outside New Brick Church, c. 1939

  Officers and elders of St. Luke's Lutheran Church pose together with the Pastor on the south side of the new brick church, c.1939. Left to right. REAR: 1.John Duda, Sr. 2 George Jakubcin, Sr. 3. Andrew Duda, Jr. 4. Paul Lukas, Jr. FRONT: 1. Joe B. Mikler, 2. Ferdinand Duda, 3. Michael Mikler, st., 4. Rev Stephen M. Tuhy. 8x10 black & white print. Scanned on Epson 10000XL at SLLC, 2011.

  
  

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  Church Officers Meet Outside the New Brick Church, 1939

  Standing outside the south entrance of the new brick church in 1939, the officers of the church have a brief meeting as they plan the dedication of the new building. Left to right: Joseph B. Mikler, Trustee; John Duda, Sr. Treasurer of Church Building Fund; Ferdinand Duda, Secretary; Michael (Mike) Mikler ML ("mladsi"-younger) , President; George Jakubcin, Sr., Trustee; Andrew Duda, Jr., Treasurer; Paul Lukas, Jr., Financial Secretary; and Pastor Stephen M. Tuhy. Scan from church publication: "Fifty Years of Grace and Mercy 1912-1962."

  
  

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  Church parsonage used for church office space 1987-91

  Two photos show members of the church staff working in the temporary office space after the (1957 built) south transept of the church was renovated for additional worship space.Left to right: Diane Jakubcin, Patty Sidlik and Barbara Bechtold. One image captures a light-hearted moment as a male co-worker seems to be holding up an amusing greeting card for them to see.

  
  

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  Church Picnic, 1940s

  Children of the congregation "go fishing" for candy and treats at a church picnic on the grounds behind the new brick church, c. 1940s. All are unidentifiable except for Ferdinand Duda, Sr. (far right) who is enjoying an ice cream cone. Snapshot (Courtesy: Judy Duda), scanned at SLLS, 2001, for archival collection.

  
  

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  Church Picnic, c. 1940. Ladies enjoy the shade with their little ones.

  Ladies of the congregation find a shady spot on the church picnic grounds, c. 1940. With their children (left to right): 1. Ethel Mikler, 2. Olga Tuhy, 3. Anna Duda, 4. Katarina Mikler, 5. Mary Tesinsky. Snapshot (courtesy: Ethel Mikler) scanned, 2001, at SLLS for archival collection.

  
  

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  Church Picnic Grounds. 1991

  View of church picnic grounds as they appeared in 1991, before construction of new sanctuary and later construction of a new school.

  
  

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  Church Play: A Comedy! c. 1952

  A home-grown church play, c. 1952. Obviously a comedy with some actors disguised beyond recognition! Left to right (FRONT): 1.Paul Lukas, Jr. 2.John L. Duda 3.Margaret Mikler 4.Katie Duda 5. Virginia Bellhorn 6. unidentified (REAR) 2nd from left Emmeline Best, remainder unidentifiable. Snapshot (Courtesy: Judy Duda) scanned at SLLS, 2001 for archival collection.

  
  

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  Church Play: A Comedy Skit, c. 1950

  Left to right: Margaret Mikler, Katie Duda, Betty Pempey and Emmeline Best entertain the congregation with a comedy skit on stage of St. Luke's School, c.1950. Snapshot (courtesy: Judy Duda) scanned at SLLS, 2001, for archival colelction.

  
  

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  Church play, c.1949-50; cast on stage

  Cast of a church play, c. 1949-50. Rear (left to right) 1. Andy Stanko, 2. Joe L. Mikler, Jr., 3. Paul Lukas, Jr., 4. Ferdinand Duda, Sr., 5. Paul Fabry, 6. Olga Jakubcin. Front: 1. unidentified, 2. Elizabeth Duda, 3. Betty Mikler, 4. Anna Duda, 5. Eleanor Mikler (?), 6. unidentified. Snapshot (courtesy: Ethel Mikler) scanned, 2001, at SLLS for archival collection.

  
  

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  Church Play: Five Cast Members on Stage of New School, Early 1950s

  A church play presented in the early 1950s when the congregation enjoyed using the new stage built into the school auditorium constructed in 1949. Left to right: 1.Paul Lukas, Jr. 2.Lillian Jakubcin 3.Olga Jakubcin 4. Betty Mikler 5. Jim Colbert. 5x7 sepia print. Scanned on Epson10000XL at SllC, 2011.

  
  

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  Church play, late 1940s; cast photographed on stage

  The cast of a church play, c. 1949-50, poses with the set they created on stage in the auditorium of St. Luke's new school. Left to right, standing: 1. unidentified, 2. Sue Hanas, 3. Andy Stanko, 4. Betty Mikler, 5. Paul Lukas, Jr., 6. Anna Duda, 7. Ferdinand Duda, 8. Elizabeth Duda; seated: 1. unidentified, 2. Paul Tesinsky, 3. Joe L. Mikler, Jr. Snapshot (courtesy: Ethel Mikler) scanned, 2001, at SLLS for archival collection.

  
  

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  Church Play, Late 1940s. Cast Takes a Bow

  Members of the cast of a comedy skit take a bow on the stage of the new school building, late 1940s. Left to right: 1.Anna Duda 2.Elizabeth Duda 3.unidentified 4.Margaret Mikler 5.Marian Stanko 6.Emily Jakubcin 7.Olga Jakubcin 8. Betty Pempey. Snapshot (Courtesy: Judy Duda) scanned at SLLS, 2001, for archival collection.

  
  

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  Church play, late 1940s. Comedy skit with fishing props.

  Fishing tackle and other props are displayed with 9 members of the cast of a church play, presented late 1940s, on stage of new school building. Left to right, Rear: 1. Milan Jakubcin 2. unidentified 3.Sue Colbert 4.unidentified 5.Joe L. Mikler, Jr. Front: 1.Phyllis Cicmanec 2.Anna Duda 3.Jim Colbert 4.Mildred Mikler. Snapshot (courtesy: Judy Duda) scanned at SLLS, 2001 for archival collection.

  
  

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  Church Play, Late 1940s, on Stage at St. Luke's New School

  Four members of a comedy skit, presented for the congregation on the stage of the new school, late 1940s. Left to right: Paul Lukas, Jr., Elizabeth Duda, Sue Hanas, Andy Stanko. Snapshot (Courtesy: Judy Duda) scanned at SLLS, 2001, for archival collection.

  
  

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  Church Play. Nine Costumed Actors on Stage of New School, c. 1950

  When the first permanent school was built (1948-49) an auditorium, with a spacious stage, was included. Rev. Stephen Tuhy was the producer and director of many skits and plays presented by the members of the congregation during the early 1950s. In this skit, left to right, FRONT: 1.Mary Lukas 2. Betty Mikler 3. Eleanor Mikler 4. Elizabeth Duda 5. Emily Jakubcin Rear: 1. Katie Duda 2. Sue Hanas 3. Andy Stanko 4. Paul Tesinsky. 5x7 sepia print. Scanned on Epson10000XL at SllC, 2011.

  
  

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  Church Play Starring Paul Lukas, Jr., Elizabeth Duda and Andy Stanko, c. 1949

  A play to entertain the congregation, performed on the stage of the new school, c. 1949. Performing are (left to right): Paul Lukas, Jr. (dressed as a woman), Elizabeth Duda, Andy Stanko. Woman at far right is unidentified. Snapshot (courtesy: Judy Duda) scanned at SLLS, 2001 for archival collection.

  
  

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  Church Play Starring Robert Mikler, Ferdinand Duda and Andy Stanko, Late 1940s

  Robert Mikler (left) and Ferdinand Duda, Sr., pose for photographer (Andy Stanko) in a skit performed for the congregation, late 1940s. Snapshot (courtesy: Judy Duda) scanned at SLLS, 2001 for archival collection.

  
  

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  Church Play: Ten Ladies In Hats & Costumes, c. 1954-55

  Ten ladies of the congregation pose on the stage of the school auditorium (c.1954-55) and are dressed for a comedy skit meant to entertain the members of the congregation. Left to right, REAR: 1. Vera Fabry 2. Katie Duda 3. Olga Jakubcin 4. Eleanor Mikler 5. Emily Jakubcin 6. Priscilla Tuhy; SEATED: 1. Mary Ann Lukas 2.Betty Duda 3. Marian Stanko 4. Lillian Jakubcin. 5x7 B&W print, scanned on Epson 10000XL at SLLC, August, 2011.

  
  

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  Church play with ladies in a comedy skit, c. 1950

  Eight ladies of the church provide a comedy skit for the congregation on stage of new school, c.1950. Left to right, Rear: 1.Emily Jakubcin 2.Marian Stanko 3.Margaret Mikler 4.Elizabeth Mikler. Front: 1.Olga Jakubcin 2.Anna Duda 3.Sue Hanas 4.Betty Pempey. Snapshot (courtesy: Judy Duda) scanned at SLLS, 2001 for archival collection.

  
  

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  Church Play: "Zenske Pravo"("Women'S Rights") Early 1950s

  Eight female cast member on stage in St. Luke's School auditorium, early 1950s. Banner shows name of Slovak play they performed: "Zenske Pravo."Left to right, FRONT. 1. Olga Jakubcin 2.Anna Duda 3. Sue Hanas 4. Betty Mikler REAR: 1. Emily Jakubcin 2. Marian Stanko 3. Margaret Mikler 4. Elizabeth Duda. 5z7 sepia print. Scanned on Epson 10000XL at SLLC, 2011.

  
  

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  Church Resolution Renaming St. Luke's Church Cemetery. August, 1965

  A resolution of the Board of Directors of St. Luke's Lutheran Church was filed with Seminole County in Florida on August 27, 1965. Signed by Ferdinand Duda, Sr. (Secretary of the Board), this document was filed as a request to change the official name of the church's cemetery grounds. Previously shown in county records as "Slovak Lutheran Cemetery," the congregation (having already changed its name from "St. Luke's Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church" to "St. Luke's Lutheran Church"), now wished to change the name of its cemetery property to "St. Luke's Lutheran Church Cemetery" in the official county records.

  
  

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  Church Steeple, 1991, Before Reconstruction

  View of the church steeple, as it appeared in 1991, prior to the reconstruction project.