St. Joseph KSKJ Local Lodge, Bridgeport, Connecticut

Abstract

More than two hundred local branches of the Kranjsko slovenska katoliška jednota were founded across the United States. One of these, the Society of St. Joseph in Bridgeport, Connecticut (and subsequently in Fairfield, Connecticut), was closely connected to the Slovene parish there. Both institutions were dominated by Slovene im migrants from Prekmurje, which gave original characteristics to both parish and local society. At the time of its foundation the society offered support and protection. Its current activities arepredom inantly social and connected with the preservation of Slovene ethnic features.