History of St. Lawrence Club in Steelton, PA

From the founding of the St. Lawrence Society in 1895 through the development of the lodge and its music traditions.

On February 10, 1895, Steelton Croatians assembled for a meeting under the direction of Josip Vrbos and subsequently founded the St. Lawrence Society (Drustvo Sveti Lovro). The society was named in honor of the Patron Saint of Vivodina, Croatia; Sveti Lovro or “Saint Lawrence,” as most of the people that gathered for the meeting emigrated from Vivodina, Croatia. The group also voted to affiliate with The Croatian Union of Pittsburgh and a charter to that effect was issued on April 24, 1895 designating St. Lawrence as Lodge 13. The first President was Josip Vrbos and the Secretary was Martin Vihr. The society started with 25 members, but within 3 years, it had grown to over 200. An establishment known as “Markley’s Hall” served as the “home” for the lodge at that time.

The first major celebration was a Croatian flag blessing on June 29, 1895. Both the American flag and Croatian flag have been a ceremonial fixture since that time. At a meeting conducted during December of 1900, it was decided to construct a Croatian Home, and after much debate and disagreement among residents of the “West Side” and the “Lower End”, a site at the corner of 2nd and Washington St’s. was selected. The new Croatian Home was to cost about $4000.00. The Home quickly became a social center and a source of support for members suffering hardship or calamity. The Lodge never ignored its Croatian “roots” and conducted many fund raising drives for widows, children, and war refugees in Croatia over the years.

Another important aspect of the Lodge was its sports program in conjunction with the Croatian Fraternal Union. Steelton’s basketball team was well known throughout Pennsylvania and bordering states, where they competed and earned a reputation as being one of the best. St. Lawrence Lodge simultaneously earned a reputation for hospitality at sports events.

During WWII St. Lawrence Lodge was discovered by servicemen of Croatian heritage processing through the Indiantown Gap Military Reservation. It became the “place to go” for soldiers on weekend pass. A total of 99 members served in WWII, and, according to the original history, one member, William J. Gustin, lost his life during the war.

During 1948, the Lodge decided to enlarge the hall once again. The basement was excavated to allow for a clubroom, the 2nd floor hall was modernized, along with construction of a modern entrance. On February 12, 1949, the Lodge celebrated its 54th anniversary and the grand opening of the remodeled lodge.

On November 6, 1965, St. Lawrence Lodge 13 celebrated its 70th anniversary. The Dauphin County Redevelopment Authority announced plans to redevelop the area where the Lodge was located. During 1968, a plot of ground was purchased at Front & Highland Sts., and the groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 23, 1968.

On May 11, 1968 St. Lawrence Lodge held its last official ceremony at the old hall. A banquet was held to honor 50 year members and to bid farewell.

On January 16, 1969, St. Lawrence Lodge held its first meeting in the new home. On April 11th & 12th, 1970, St. Lawrence celebrated its 75th anniversary. In 1976 construction began on a large addition to the Lodge Home.

On August 20, 1981 Bro. George Murlin organized the St. Lawrence Junior Tamburitzans. In 1991 he organized the Adult Tamburitzans. In July 1982, St. Lawrence Lodge hosted the C.F.U. Junior Tamburitza Festival and in 1997 & 2004, the Junior Tammies attended Tamburitza Festivals in Zagreb, Croatia.

The original history states that its information was gleaned from “A Chronological History of The St. Lawrence Society of Steelton, Pennsylvania,” researched and compiled by Lodge Member Matthew J. Mavretic, who approved its use.