The first wave of Slovak immigrants came to the Pittsburgh region in the 1890s. It is estimated that close to 100,000 came to this area looking for work and a chance for a better life. The new comers came to the hills and valleys of this new land that reminded them of the farms, forests, and mountains they left behind. They lived in neighborhoods close to their work. Areas such as Barrack, Ranking, Swissvale, Homestead, Munhall, and the North Side were all heavily settled by Slovaks.
The National Slovak Society, the first fraternal benefit organization in America, was found in Pittsburgh in 1890, to help these new citizens financially and socially. Churches and schools were built in each neighborhood were Slovaks lived. It is estimated that by 1920, there were 28 Catholic Slovak churches many with adjoining schools and social halls. The Slovak Lutherans also founded their own churches and organizations. The Byzantine or Greek Catholics from Slovakia also established their own places of worship.
Even though the neighborhood churches are gone, the young American Slovaks look to the seven Slovak fraternal Societies and the cultural organizations to keep their heritage alive. The University of Pittsburgh has a permanently endowed Slovak Program within the Department of Slavic Languages and Literature. This was established and funded by the Slovak Fraternal organization.
According to the 1990 census, there are 1,880,000 people of Slovak ancestry in the United States. Pennsylvania ranks first of the 50 states, with 447,000 residents of Slovak ancestry. Approximately half of these people live in Western Pennsylvania.
Because of the heavy concentration of Slovak-Americans in the area, the Slovak Embassy opened an Honorary Consulate in Pittsburgh in 1997. Joseph Senko, the Honorary Consul to Pennsylvania, founded a cultural organization in 1998, the Western Pennsylvania Slovak Cultural Association. This non-profit organization is a vital force in preserving and bringing Slovak culture to the Western Pennsylvania
