He bought a Lithuanian-American church in Coaldale, Pennsylvania | Robert Damyanovich

Although Robert is not a Lithuanian himself, but he actually saved one Lithuanian church simply by purchasing it! Robert bought St. John the Baptist church in Coaldale, Pennsylvania, as he married his Lithuanian wife there and they baptized their children there. Robert shares this story in this interview.
The interview was recorded during the "Destination Lithuanian America 2022" expedition by Augustinas Žemaitis and Aistė Žemaitienė. The aim of these expeditions is to create the online map of the Lithuanian heritage in America map.truelithuania.com as well as the encyclopedia of the Lithuanian heritage sites abroad global.truelithuania.com.

[@edward1394]

there is a time capsule placed somewhere near the basement door, below where you are sitting in video. as an altar boy accidently set church afire ,easter sun. 6o yrs to the day when church was hit by lighting an burned . capsle info from my dad .

[@ericaswensonelliott]

My Ancestors were born in Coaldale and many of them are buried in neighboring Summit Hill. Sgt Edward "Rex" Sicenavage and his Lithuanian family were members of this very church. Rex was one of 50+ Coaldale men killed in WW2. He was a gunner in the 893rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company C. His tanks' nicknames was "Chop Chop" He died on Chop Chop III. They held services for him here when the family was notified of his death on December 13, 1944. I'm so glad this church was preserved an important piece of American Heritage!

[@Rockaland2]

you should go talk to my aunt she lives in lost creek pa and is Lithuanian our GGparents came from Lithuanian