The first Slovak settlers in Ontario worked in industry and established farms. In the late 1920’s Slovak immigrants moved in larger numbers onto the fertile lands of southern Ontario and the first Canadian Slovak farm in our area was established in 1924 near Chatham, Ontario. The development of the auto industry brought many more Slovaks to Windsor. Three Slovak parishes were established and continue looking after the spiritual needs of our community. These three parishes together with our dance groups, Domovina and Rozmarin, and branches of several Slovak organizations have kept the Slovak community of Windsor alive and active, maintaining a strong sense of religious, social and cultural awareness.
Churches
Nativity Lutheran Church, established in 1928 is located at 1396 Langlois at Ellis, where Rev. Rastislav Micovsky is pastor.
St. Cyril & Methodius Roman Catholic Church, established in 1929, is located at 1532 Alexis Rd., corner Seminole St; St. Cyril’s Slovak Centre is across the road at 1520 Chandler St., corner Seminole St.
St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church is located at 2120 Byng Road at Tecumseh and Fr. Martin Vavrak is the parish priest.
Slovak Dance Groups
The Slovak Domovina Dancers, established in 1983, is sponsored by Branch 28 of the Canadian Slovak League. They are a senior dance group with members 15 years of age and over. Under the direction of Irene Timko and instructor Anne (Palenkas) Chauvin, they have actively represented Windsor’s Slovak community, participating in Slovak and ethnocultural festivals in Canada, the United States and in Europe. More recently, in July of 2007, Domovina took part in the World Festival of Slovak Youth held in the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia and the Festival Pod Polanou in Detva, Slovakia. In 2008 they celebrated their 25th anniversary at their annual Harvest Festival, “Oberackova Zabava”. They have hosted a Slovak village as part of Windsor’s annual ethnocultural festival “Carrousel of the Nations” and proudly represent our Slovak heritage and culture whenever and wherever possible. Contact Domovina by email:
Rozmarin is Windsor’s junior dance group that has, for over 35 years, brought pleasure to the Windsor community, and beyond, in a variety of ways. The group is comprised of boys and girls between the ages of 4 to 15 years. To contact president of the dance group - Vera Potocek e-mail:
Windsor also has a Slovak radio program which airs every Saturday at noon at CJAM 91.5 FM web2.uwindsor.ca They keep us informed of upcoming events in our community.
