The Slovak Catholic Sokol Home Association of Reading, Pennsylvania, began its roots in the 1930's. The first Home Association (Sokol Club), was established on November 26th 1930. The building which currently exists was located at 540 Laurel Street in Reading. The building was once known as the LAUREL MOTION PICTURE THEATRE, which opened on August 30, 1914. O.D. Keehan was the manager, Mary A. Ernst owned the place. Early on, Fred Stock was the projectionist and Charles Bloom played the organ. In the 1920's, management changed and the movie house was renamed the PALM. In 1927 there were more changes to the theatre and again it was renamed the RIVOLI. The Rivoli remained until it closed by the effects of the Great Depression. In 1932 it was renovated to suit the needs of the SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL. The Sokol club remained at the Laurel street location
until 1977. The officers and members
sought after another property in hopes
of expanding their club quarters. They
purchased the former READING POLICE
HOME at 411 Crestmont Street in
Millmont. Prior to The Reading Police
Home it was the Saint DENATO'S Italian
Club. The Sokol Club on Laurel street
was sold to the LIBERTY FIREMAN'S
RELIEF ASSOCIATION. For over 30
years we've remained at our present location,
and are now looking to the future in
expanding our business.Our Sokol club
was established as a social quarters where family and friends could gather and fraternalize.
HISTORY
Slovak Catholic Sokol Home Association
540 Laurel Street - Reading, Pa
(Picture taken in 1930's)
The Slovak Catholic Sokol National organization was established in Passaic New Jersey on July 4, 1905. For over 100 years we continue to grow and prosper. The SCS was founded for the simple purpose to provide the Slovak immigrants a sense of financial security as they settled in their new home the United States of America. Keeping with their religion, the SCS remained close to the heritage of the Slovak homeland and the teachings of the Cyrilo-Methodian faith.
They also saw the need to promote physical fitness by supporting the gymnastic movement, as well as other sports. Throughout the SCS history the organization continues to sponsor various Local and National tournaments in bowling, golf, basketball, softball along with the International Slet (Olympics).
More and more immigrants began to settle in the United States. Many of these immigrants settled in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and New Jersey. Seeing the need for the SCS to grow, individual branches of the society were formed. In 1929, the men's Assembly 261 and the ladies Wreath 155 were founded in Reading, Pa. This group of men and women decided that a home was needed for everyone to gather. They decided to purchase the Rivioli Theatre at 540 Laurle Street in Reading. After the purchase it was renovated to fit the needs as a social gathering place as well as a social hall to instruct gymnastics and calisthenics. The Sokol hall was named the Slovak Catholic Sokol Home Association. It was a great meeting place, and located in the Slovak community in the south side of Reading. Sharing the neighborhood with the Slovak parish of SS Cyril and Methodius, many parishioners became members of the Sokols.
Our Sokol club continues to sponsor Teams in Bowling, golf, basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. We also offer a bar to sit, relax and enjoy the fellowship of our members.
Our Present Social Quarters
Inside bar and social quarters
proposed new social quarters
We would like to hear from you. Please sign our Guest book
Home Association Meeting - July 13th 2010, 7pm
Next Scheduled meetings
August 10th
September 14th
September 14th
Congratulations!!
to Stuart Guzowski and Elaina Cengeri
Kimberly Goodhart and Brandy Stremba
This years recipients of the 2009 - 2010
Frank Smolnik
Scholarship Grant
Reading PA. -
Officers and members of Assembly 261, Wreath 155, the Slovak Catholic Sokol Home Association, and dignitaries, gathered on Sunday April 11th at 4:11pm to mark an important occasion in the history of the Reading Sokol's - The groundbreaking for the new Sokol Hall
On the grounds at 411 Crestmont Street in Reading Pa, the site of the new Sokol Hall, officers and members who worked so hard for many years to see this project become reality gathered not only to break ground but also to celebrate the soon to be new Sokol Hall. Actual construction is expected to begin shortly after the groundbreaking and fully open by the beginning of the year in 2011.
In conjunction with the groundbreaking ceremony we also held our annual "MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION DAY". Food, refreshments and entertainment was enjoyed by all who attended as a sign of our gratitude for their support throughout the year. In keeping with our theme “Building a new Future” 5 new insurance policies were presented by Frank Macey and Frank and Rita Pompiano to Group 12 president Joseph A. Harak. The festive day continued with music entertainment by “Jimini”
The ceremony began at 3:45pm by J. Gregory Milanek our Honorary Supreme Officer who welcomed all those who were there and gave an explanation of our new Sokol Hall building plans. Brother Greg then introduced the person responsible for pursuing our long awaited dream for opening remarks, Honorary Supreme Officer Frank E. Macey. Brother Frank enlightened us with the history of the Reading Sokol Club from its beginning to the present day. After brother Frank’s remarks, Rev. Francis Straka was called upon to bestow his blessings and bless the ground. We were delighted to have Father Straka and thank him for traveling from his home parish in North Hampton Pa. to celebrate our groundbreaking. Also in attendance was local dignitary, State Representative Thomas Caltigirone who presented the building committee with a certificate from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Our very own member of Assembly 261, and State Senator Michael A. O’Pake was introduced, he congratulated us on our efforts for bringing our dreams to reality and spoke to us about our rich heritage and roots in the Reading community. Following Senator’s O’Pake’s remarks, the President of the Sokol Club Chris Antosy was called upon for his comments. Brother Chris thanked Frank Macey and Mike Waradzin who spearheaded the building committee and for their hard work and dedication to this project. Also in attendance and recognized was our architect Mike Kostival and the building contractor Randy Wingenroth. The next speaker introduced was the president of Wreath 155 and chairperson of the fundraising committee Kathi Smolkowicz. Sister Kathi explained the need for our fund raiser and how everyone could contribute. Today was the official kick off campaign for raising funds to improve the interior of our new Sokol Hall. By the end of the day it was announced that a total of $12,000.00 was pledged in less than 6 hours. We thank everyone who came out and pledged a donation. Then it was time for the official breaking of the ground. Brother Greg called upon Chris Antosy, Frank Macey, Mike Waradzin, Marty Boyer, Sen. Mike O'Pake, architect Mike Kostival, and the contractor Randy Wingenroth to man the shovels. Donned in their gold hard hats with their gold shovels, at precisely 4:11 pm., at 411 Crestmont Street, on 4/11/2010 the shovels broke the ground; fireworks were set into the air, marking our new beginning as we make way for our new SOKOL HALL.
The Slovak Catholic Sokol celebrate the groundbreaking for the new SOKOL HALL
Chris Antosy, Micky Waradzin, Frank Macey, Marty Boyer, Sen. Mike O'Pake, Randy Wingenroth, Michael Kostival
Building
A
New
Future
Sokol Hall Partnership Drive
Your Gift will take the Partners of the Sokol Hall one step closer to the $100,000 goal to furnish our facility with youth sporting equipment, tables, chairs,soundsystem and staffing needs for our center.We thank you for your continuing support to help our organization achieve the sound base to meet the membership and community needs. The Assembly 261 and Wreath 155 ia a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. All donations are Tax Deductable. To donate click the logo on the right.
Click to make your donation
