ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T
Volume 95 Number 19
H E R A L D
Benevolence
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Humanity
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Brotherhood
May 9, 2007
ISSN —07458800
SPJST Velehrad Cemetery Receives Texas Historical Marker By Janie Bucek of SPJST Lodge 151, Wharton The SPJST Velehrad Cemetery is located on a two-acre tract of land in the northern part of Lavaca County in the Velehrad Community. This one-acre cemetery is located on the southern end of the property. SPJST Lodge 19, Velehrad Hall is located on the northern end of the property. This two-acre tract of land is located on County Line Road. County Line Road divides Lavaca and Fayette Counties. The SPJST Velehrad Cemetery was originally established as a National Cemetery. An article written about Filip Bucek in the “Amerikan” Narodni Kalander, 1889, states that Filip Bucek wanted to establish a National Cemetery. However, the citizens of the Velehrad Community did not think a cemetery was necessary because there was a cemetery at the church. (1) The cemetery they were
probably referring to was at St. Mary’s Church in Praha, Texas. The Velehrad citizens finally consented to contribute to build a fence around the cemetery. (2) The majority of Texas-Czechs who established the Cemetery were Czech Moravians. In addition, many of the individuals buried in the cemetery were Catholic but left the church for various reasons. The cloth map of the cemetery shows that the cemetery was divided into 54 lots. For some unknown reason, eighteen lots on the northern end of the cemetery were never part of the present day cemetery. (3) There are 48 known burials in the SPJST Velehrad Cemetery. The first burial that is documented occurred in July, 1878. This was the burial of Johana Bucek, wife of Filip Bucek. (4) An article written about Filip Bucek in the “Amerikan” Narodni
The dedication of the Texas Historic Cemetery Designation for the SPJST Velehrad Cemetery was held April 21, 2007. Pictured by the Historical Marker in front of the SPJST Lodge 19, Velehrad hall and the SPJST Velehrad Cemetery are, left to right, Janie and David Bucek, Charles Hrncir, Alvin Jurena, Roy Bucek, and District Six Director Michael Ahlstrom.
Kalander, 1889, states that Filip Bucek was the first individual buried in the cemetery. (5) Bucek family members state that Filip Bucek was first buried in Praha. Later, he was buried in the Velehrad Cemetery. (6) St. Mary’s Church records do
not have a record of Filip Bucek’s death or burial. (7) Filip Bucek passed away on October 31, 1877. The last burial in the SPJST Velehrad Cemetery occurred at the beginning of 1998. This was the burial of Theodore Kubala, a World War II veter-
Please see Velehrad on page 7.
~ Inside ~ Lodge 8 Supports Weimar Youth Page 10 Lodge 38 Fund-Raiser
And the winner is . . . Lodge 107, Floresville Youth Club member Ryan Henke searches for a winning ticket at the lodge’s banquet on April 22. The raffle raised more than $2,000 for renovations of the lodge hall. Assisting Ryan is Doug Henke, and at the microphone is District Seven Director Bob Bayer. More pictures on pages 20 and 21.
an. He was single and lived in Colorado. It was discovered he had relatives living in Schulenburg, Texas. His relatives decided to bury him in his grandfather’s cemetery lot. (8) Even though the SPJST Velehrad Cemetery was established in 1878, it was part of the 7 1/5 acre tract of land purchased by the Velehrad School Trustees in May, 1879 from W. F. Upton. The deed states that W. F. Upton donated a one-acre plot of land to the Velehrad School out of the 7 1/5 acre tract. (9) The donated acre in question is the present day SPJST Velehrad Cemetery.
Page 11 District One Sales Incentive Trip Page 21 Lodge 84 Youth Activities Page 26
Vitame Vas, 13,000 Riders! Lodge 1, Fayetteville welcomed about 13,000 cyclists in the BP MS 150 Bike Tour on Saturday, April 21. The Lodge 1 hall served as a rest station for bathrooms and food. The two-day cycling adventure from Houston to Austin raises funds for those with Multiple Sclerosis. More pictures on page 9.
Family Fun Dates ...............3 Interest Rates .....................3 SL Proclamation.................3 Lodge Letters .....................5 Reunions...........................12 Scholarship Winners..15-19 In Memoriam.....................22 Youth .................................23 Czech Culture...................28 Activities Calendar...........30