Immigrant Societies

Many of the Ancestors who came to this Country and to our County formed their own Societies, below are a listing of some of them.

If you know of or have material on these Societies and would like to contribute to this page please contact the County Coordinator.

Daughters of Rebekah (Rebecca) Benevolent Society - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/05/2005

DeAmici Club - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/05/2005

These organizations served the early immigrant needs of the Italian immigrant in the early 19th  century. The Liberty Club and its popular "Brass Band" of the 1920's was later absorbed into the ranks of the DeAmici, which remains active in Mishawaka to this day.   Source Picture: South Bend Tribune 1-17-1965 

German Progress Club of South Bend - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/06/2005

Marconi and Christopher Columbus Italian Society - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/07/2005

Masonic - Masons

Accordingto a publication by Janice Bridges, in 1904 A Masonic Temple was located on North Main Street at the corner of Lincolnway in Mishawaka (Sharon) Added 09/05/2005

M. (Mieczyslaw) R. ( Romanowski) Falcons South Bend 1894 - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/08/2005

Mukedvelo Kur - Hungarian Social Club - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/07/2005

Odd Fellows - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/04/2005

Note: According to a publication by Janice Bridges, there was an Odd Fellows building built in 1906 located on the east side of North Main Steet in Mishawaka (Sharon) Added 09/05/2005

Order of Owls - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/03/2005

Order of the Red Men - Tribe #304

According to a publication by Janice Bridges this organization was in Mishawaka in 1901 (Sharon) Added 09/05/2005

PNA (Polish National Alliance) - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/04/2005

St. Ann's Society - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 08/29/2005

St. Cecilia Society, St. Hedwig Church - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 08/28/2005

The first Polish choral group, the St. Cecilia Society, founded in 1879 primarily for church purposes, also fostered patriotic and folk songs, making frequent appearances at local celebrations. Under the direction of Casimir Luzny, South Bend's first Polish composer, the choir made a concert appearance together with the South Bend Orchestra at the Auditorium, one of the city's largest theatres, in 1913

Polish Choir St Mary's of the Holy Rosary 1948 - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/10/2005

PolishNationalBand1932- Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/10/2005

South Bend Polish Central Civic Committee Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/05/2005

This group was active during the 1930-1950's to progress the Polish Culture and immigrant experience in the community. The sponsored the annual Polish Day Celebrations on the West Side and planned for memorials for fallen Polish soldiers in both World Wars. They acted in their time as a Polish Chamber of Commerce for the area. 

Editors Note: I have been unable to determine if this group dissolved or was absorbed into another effort ... any help or information appreciated.

South Bend German Turnverein / Turners Club - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/04/2005

Polish Turnverein / Turners Club - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/08/2005

The Peoples Circle (Belgian Club) and Volkskring Society 1925 - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/08/2005

West Side Democratic Club - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/14/2005

White Eagle - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski

Z. B. Falcon's Nest 80 - Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski - added 09/04/2005

Started: Friday, August 19, 2005, 6:14:25 PM

Updated: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 08:59:57 PM

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