There are records of Slovaks in Canada from the earliest days of its modern history. Slovaks immigrated here, often due to oppression in their native land, finding in Canada solace and freedom to sing their songs and express themselves without fear of repression.  Many immigrants arrived from Slovakia in the thirties, followed by another wave following World War Two, and yet another after the Prague Spring of 1968.

However, it was not until May 1942 that the Slovaks of the St. Catharines area organized themselves into a formal club, as Branch 31 of the Canadian Slovak League with Ján Sincák as their first president.  Membership quickly grew and in 1951 a “Slovensky Dom” was built, a large brick hall that they could proudly call home.  Here they organized choirs, staged plays, held concerts,  celebrating their culture.  The first performance of a Slovak play took place in 1955 and in 1955 Maria (Mary) Bak and Stephen Reistetter founded the Nitra Folk Dancing group, which performed to much acclaim throughout Canada and the USA. It was succeeded by a younger generation which continued the high standard of performance, bringing much joy and delight to Slovaks and non-Slovaks alike.

Eager to participate in Canadian life, St. Catharines Slovaks have taken part in the Grape and Wine Festival since its origins and were among the founding members of the St. Catharines Folk Arts Festival, with Maria (Mary) Bak on the steering committee.  In 1975, the Slovaks of St. Catharines hosted the XIXth convention of the Canadian Slovak League, welcoming Canadian Slovak representatives from across all of Canada.  

The club has been very active and successful over the last twenty years under the leadership of its president Joseph Vargovic and his wife Hana, working hard behind the scenes. Mr. Vargovic has just retired as president – and the newly elected president is Dennis Zahorchak.  The Slovaks of St. Catharines are proud to be a part of the St. Catharines Folk Arts Council, working in harmony with other Canadian ethnic groups who contribute in an important way to the mosaic of Canadian culture.  

You can contact the St. Catharines Slovak Club (Dennis Zahorchak) at 905-734-3651 for information on meetings and events.