Gene, In the new Czech community about half were followers of the native Free Thought Movement, which was ardently nationalistic and anti-clerical. The C.S.P.S. which along with the Sokol, founded in 1865, saw to their needs. Other lodges included the Grand Lodge and the Missouri Lodge, No.2. Many of the benevolent societies ended by the 1930's with the coming of Social Security. To the best of my knowledge that's true of this one also. Keith Zimmer, Adult Services Provider, ST. LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, May 09, 2005 8:25 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [MO-STLOUIS-METRO] - C.S.P.S. Gloria - Thanks for the fast return. Great information I will include this in my information on the family. Thanks again. Do you know if the lodge has a e-mail address? Later Gene Vanacek - San Antonio, TX. On Mon, 9 May 2005 05:02:34 EDT [email protected] writes: > The âEURoeC.S.P.S.âEUR Cesko-Slovanské PodporujÃcà Spolecnostà > ( Bohemian Slavonic Benevolent Society ) > The âEURoeC.S.P.S.âEUR or Cesko-Slovanské PodporujÃcà Spolecnostà > was founded in St. > Louis, Missouri on March 4th, 1854. The founders of this society > were the > early Czech immigrants, whoâEUR(tm)s brethren had fled the revolts and > political > oppression of the 1840s and 1850s. This group was comprised mostly > of farmers > and laborers with limited skills and poorly educated since School > attendance > was not yet mandatory in the Slavic Kingdoms. These > founding > fathers of the C.S.P.S. were intent on forming a Organization to > provide assistance > to their countrymen in times of illness, and care for the widows and > orphans. > This organization would also develop into an important avenue for > the local > Czech community to meet socially and discuss problems of mutual > concern. > ==== > I did a search on Slovan Lodge No. 1 C.S.P.S. and got the above. > http://my.execpc.com/~hkralik/ > Gloria > > > ==== MO-STLOUIS-METRO Mailing List ==== > If you wish to unsubscribe from the MO-STLOUIS-METRO Mailing List, > send only the word UNSUBSCRIBE to > [email protected] or if you are on the Digest > List [email protected] > > ==== MO-STLOUIS-METRO Mailing List ==== If you wish to unsubscribe from the MO-STLOUIS-METRO Mailing List, send only the word UNSUBSCRIBE to [email protected] or if you are on the Digest List [email protected]