Serbian Orthodox church celebrates 50 years in Sudbury
Hundreds of Serbs who have moved away from Sudbury are expected back to mark the milestone
Serbian folk music will flow through the streets of Sudbury's Donovan neighbourhood this weekend as Saints Peter and Paul Serbian Orthodox Church marks its 50th anniversary.
The church was consecrated in the Donovan in 1964, when Sudbury was home to more than 300 Serbian families. Many came to find work in Sudbury's nickel mines.
The church was a gathering place for the whole Serbian community, said Reverend John Marjanac, the parish priest.
"The church is vital. Serbs don't have social clubs, Serbs don't have sports teams or any other kind of organizations which are not attached to this church.
Marjanac shared more about the church's history on CBC Radio's Morning North:
The number of Serbian families in Sudbury who attend the parish has dropped to about 50, Marjanac said, adding many have moved to Toronto and Chicago because those cities have large Serbian communities.
Marjanac said hundreds of people who moved away are expected to return to Sudbury this weekend for the celebration of the church.
"It's kind of a reunion or a homecoming for a lot of them. We will have a better representation of Sudbury Serbian heritage, at least for the weekend."
Festivities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Saints Peter and Paul Serbian Orthodox Church run through the weekend. Events include a barbecue with traditional Serbian food, live Serbian music and a special church service on Sunday Morning.
The church is located at 515 Antwerp Ave. in Sudbury.