During the late 1800s, the Slovenians began immigrating to the United States in increasing numbers. Instead of finding better economic conditions than they experienced in the "old country," many faced hardship and unemployment.

There were no unions, social security, or welfare agencies to care for the needy. When sickness beset an immigrant he,and often his entire family, became the burden of friends and relatives. Public collections to pay for burials and to assist widows and orphans were commonplace.

As immigrant numbers continued to increase, the early Slovenians realized that protection was necessary for the less fortunate, to keep them from becoming public charges. Slovenians banded together in various states to form fraternal lodges as a mechanism to help each other in time of need. But there were some early leaders who saw a need for a larger and more integrated society.

The early guiding spirit of what was to become KSKJ were Msgr. Joseph Buh, publisher of the American Slovenian (Amerikanski Slovenec), and Fr. F.S. Sustersic, a Joliet priest.

Msgr. Buh urged "Slovenians Unite!" in an autumn of 1893 article. Fr. Sustersic campaigned that Slovenians would have greater security in a united organization.

A committee was formed and during the first organizational meeting held at the home of Peter Jurjevcic on North Chicago Street in Joliet April 1 and 2, 1894, the committee approved by-laws to merge 10 independent Slovenian benefit lodges to form the first Slovenian fraternal union.

"The day was Sunday, April 1, 1894, and the weather was cool. The name of the organization was an important part of the discussion. There were two sides. Joseph Stukel leaned toward the name Kranjsko Slovenska Katoliska Jednota (KSKJ) while Rev. Sustersic favored Slovenska Katoliska Jednota (SKJ).

Debate was heated. Mr. Stukel contended that there already was a Union by the title of Slovenska Katoliska Jednota (SKJ) among Slovak people -duplication would be suspect with the state authorities. It was Mr. Brunski who offered the suggestion that the name of Kranjsko Slovenska Katoliska Jednota (KSKJ) be adopted. The vote was 5-3."

KSKJ began official operations on June 1, 1894 with 333 members and no treasury. It was also on June 1, 1894 that Msgr. Buh's newspaper published the KSKJ Glasilo (Voice) pages within his Amerikanski Slovenec (American Slovenian) newspaper. That nameplate, the oldest Slovenian newspaper in the world, is now part of the KSKJ Voice and is published 14 times per year. The Amerikanski Slovenec is printed in the Slovenian language.

At the present time, KSKJ is licensed in 12 states including the District of Colombia, has a total certificate membership of over 30,000 members in more than 45 lodges.

This brief history on KSKJ's founding is contained in the book "100 Years of Strength Through Unity: The History of the American Slovenian Catholic Union", compiled by the late Alvina Horzen and published to commemorate KSKJ's 100th anniversary in 1994. You may obtain a copy of the book by sending a check or money order for $7.50 to the American Slovenian Catholic Union, KSKJ, 2439 Glenwood Avenue, Joliet, IL 60435. Proceeds from the book sale will go the KSKJ Scholarship Program.