A Shepherd to Lead Them And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV) Chapter 4 Photo: Rev. Stephen M. Tuhy. 61
By the early 1930s the members of St. Luke s had grown impatient with temporary pastoral care. Although they appreciated the efforts of visiting clergy, they were eager for a permanent spiritual leader. A growing concern over their children s education also spurred the members to action. The congregation requested assistance from the Home Missions Board of the SELC. The Board s response was to send another temporary minister, Reverend John Ondov, who spent the winter of 1932-1933 in Slavia. After his departure, the members again requested permanent pastoral care. The congregation received word that they could expect another visiting minister in early 1934. Reverend Stephen M. Tuhy, Jr., a young mission pastor from Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, was directed to serve the Slavia settlement for six months. Reverend Tuhy arrived in Slavia on April 24, 1934 and his effect on the congregation was immediate. Sensitive to members concern for the children of the community, Pastor Tuhy initially focused his efforts on their behalf. In May, he began an eight-week full day Vacation Bible School for fifteen students. The program concluded with a church picnic on July 29. The children sang two songs composed by Pastor Tuhy and recited five poems authored by guest pastor, Reverend Joseph Kolarik from Raritan, New Jersey. Reverend Kolarik was in Slavia with his family for a four-week Florida trip. It was during this same month that St. Luke s members received some distressing news. After the July 22 church service, Reverend Tuhy informed them that he had received a call from the church of John the Baptizer in Steubenville, Ohio. If he accepted the call, it would mean the Slavia congregation would again be without a pastor. A special meeting was held at two o clock that afternoon. Realizing they could support a full-time pastor, the seventeen voters gathered to discuss and draft a call letter to Reverend Tuhy, which they finished around nine o clock that night. They ruminated a long time over what salary the congregation could pay a pastor many voters volunteered to pay one month, two months, even three months of his salary. They then discussed the call Tuhy had received.for Tuhy s financial support, they agreed upon a salary of $65 per month plus the receipts from the free-will and three festival offering in the year. He also was to be given free housing. (Like a Mustard Seed: The Slavia Settlement) Elders Joseph Mikler, Michael Mikler and Martin Stanko meet in the original frame church, c. 1930. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV) 62 Stephen Tuhy accepted the Divine Call from St. Luke s on Friday, July 27, 1934. The congregation decided to hold the installation the upcoming Tuesday, July 31, at two o clock. Since Reverend Joseph Kolarik was still visiting the community, he officiated the ceremony. Over one-hundred worshippers packed into the tiny wood church to hear Reverend Kolarik s message on John 15:5 and participate in the joyful occasion. George Jakubcin and his wife, Anna, hosted a celebration reception in their home following the installation. Sadly, less than a week later, Pastor Tuhy performed his first funeral service at St. Luke s. Katarina Zatko Duda, the wife of Andrew Duda, passed away on August 2, 1934 at the age of sixty. She was laid to rest two days later in the St. Luke s cemetery, the first adult member of St. Luke s to depart into heavenly peace. This portrait of Reverend Tuhy was published in the SELC Svedok in 1934 along with an article about his Installation at St. Luke s. The journal Svedok was a church publication written in Slovak; it is archived in the Concordia Historical Institute, St. Louis, Missouri.
Energetic and inspiring, Pastor Stephen M. Tuhy, Jr. was the first Slovak Evangelical Lutheran minister installed in the state of Florida. At only twenty-four years of age, the youthful Tuhy eagerly began his service to the small Slovak community. He was instrumental in carrying on and extending the mission of St. Luke s. His devotion and guidance helped define the focus of St. Luke s ministry. Pastor Tuhy, born on October 14, 1909 in Pleasant City, Ohio, was the son of Reverend Stephen M. Tuhy, Sr. and Ludmilla Tuhy. During his youth, the family moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where his father was pastor of St. Matthew s Lutheran Church. Young Tuhy graduated from Concordia College in Fort Wayne, Indiana and from Concordia Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained into the ministry by his father in October 1933. He served his vicarage at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Shamrock, Texas. Soon after his installation at St. Luke s, Pastor Tuhy focused his efforts on children s education and missionwork. In October, he instituted a Sunday School program. Radically altering the current practice, Tuhy requested the new program be partly taught in English. The Sunday School was to be in addition to Saturday School catechism training, and Summer School Bible instruction. Pastor Tuhy also quickly reached out to the greater community; in December he presented a lecture to the Oviedo PTA and published a Christmas message in the Sanford Herald. Pastor Tuhy, with his first group of confirmands on their Confirmation day, August 12, 1934. The class in alphabetical order: Olga Duda, Julia Jakubcin, George Jakubcin, Jr., Miroslav Lukas, John Mikler, Paul Packo, Anna Svrlinga, Ivan Svrlinga, Ludmila Svrlinga, Milan Svrlinga. Several Slavia families enjoy an outing with their new young pastor, c. 1936. Back row: Pastor Stephen Tuhy, George Jakubcin, Jr., George Jakubcin, Sr., holding Ivan (Bo), Ferdinand Duda, Joe B. Mikler, John Duda, Sr., Katie Mikler Duda, holding Walter, Johnny Mikler. Front row: Lillian Jakubcin, Anna Duda Jakubcin with hand on her son Ferdinand (Zeke), Emily Jakubcin with cousin Ed Duda, Elizabeth Mikler, Anna Jakubcin, Mary Mikler, Julia Jakubcin, Anna Mikler. Pastor Stephen Tuhy with his brothers in Pennsylvania, c. 1930s. Congregational photo with Pastor Tuhy and his bride, Olga, sitting at his left. August, 1936. 1. Donald Mikler, Mike Mikler, Jr., Ruth Mikler. 2. Daniel Lukas. George Buidosik, Andy Mertan, Milan Jakubcin, George Duda, Jr., George Meran, Dusan Lukas, Mildred Mertan, Betty Mikler, Joey Mertan, Lillian Jakubcin, Blanche Duda, Ella Buidosik, Emily Jakubcin, Johnnie Duda, Edward Duda. 3. Ferdinand Jakubcin, Andrew Duda, Jr., Ferdinand Duda, Paul Mikler, Charles Blake, John Jakubcin, Pastor S.M. Tuhy, Mrs. Olga Tuhy, Andrew Jakubcin, Olga Jakubcin, Mary Mikler, Anna Jakubcin, Vera Duda, Olga Duda, Elizabeth Mikler, Julia Jakubcin, George, Jakubcin, Jr. 4. Anna Mikler, Susie Mikler, Joe. L. Mikler, Maria Lukas, Mrs. Julius Buidosik, Joe B. Mikler, Mrs. George Duda, Juliana Stanko, Elizabeth Mertan, Maria Mikler, Katarina Mikler, Barbara Jakubcin, Katie Duda, Baby Walter Duda, Andrew Mikler, Paul Lukas, Johnny Mikler. 5. Stephen Mikler, Milton Lukas, Paul Lukas, Sr., Julius Buidosik, Strycko John Duda, George Duda, Martin Stanko, George Mertan, Michael Mikler, Sr., Joseph Mikler, Sr., Andrew Jakubcin, Sr., John Duda, Andrew Duda, Sr., Mike Mikler. 63
For the first months of his service, Pastor Tuhy lived in the home of Juliana and Martin Stanko. This was a common practice for the congregation; the Stankos housed many visiting ministers for St. Luke s. At this time, Martin also served as President of the Congregation. One can only imagine the productive conversation that took place around the kitchen table during their evening meal! Realizing this living arrangement was only a temporary solution, the voters of St. Luke s began to plan for Pastor Tuhy s permanent housing. In October, the Board of Trustees found land appropriate for a new church and parsonage. Moving quickly, the congregation approved and purchased a parcel by the end of the year. The tract of approximately thirteen acres, purchased in two transactions, cost $200.00 plus tax. After a review of congregational funds, and on the recommendation of the church Building Committee, the members decided first to construct a parsonage and then focus on a new worship facility. In September of 1935 voters unanimously agreed to build a parsonage, and approved George Jakubcin s building of the structure for $2,700.00. Pastor Tuhy moved into the parsonage on December 31, 1935. Pining for his sweetheart, Pastor Tuhy was encouraged by the newly constructed parsonage to take the next step in his life. Tuhy desperately missed his beloved, Miss Olga Pankuch. Olga and Stephen were childhood sweethearts and grammar school classmates in Pennsylvania. In April of 1936, Pastor Tuhy requested two Sundays off in June and used that time to rush off to marry Olga. The wedding took place June 7, 1936 in Pennsylvania with Reverend Tuhy, Sr. officiating. Reverend Stephen M. Tuhy, Jr., c. 1937. Rear view of the parsonage, showing Pastor Tuhy s first car. The 1929 Ford was purchased by the congregation for $120 in 1935. 64
Warranty Deeds conveying title for ten acres more or less and two and one quarter acres, more or less of land in Slavia, Florida. December 26, 1934. 65
Following their wedding trip the newlyweds came to their new parsonage. Immediately on Sunday, we surprised them with a wedding reception in the home of George Jakubcin and his wife Anna. It was a pleasant surprise. Since the distance of 1200 miles kept us from attending the wedding, we had our own wedding here in Slavia. (Kalendar-1940) Stephen and Olga Tuhy with their bridal party. June 7, 1936. Reverend Stephen and Mrs. Olga Tuhy seated on the porch steps of the newly built parsonage, c. 1937. There was no electricity or running water in the home when it was first built; the water tank and pump were added in 1939. 66