About CFU Lodge 136

Proudly serving the Lorain community since 1900, CFU Lodge 136 promotes Croatian heritage while offering trusted fraternal benefits to members of all backgrounds who share in our mission.

CFU Lodge 136 History

As a proud local lodge of the Croatian Fraternal Union (CFU), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Lodge 136 offers access to a variety of insurance policies and annuities to individuals of Croatian or Slavic descent—as well as to non-Slavs who share in the values and mission of the CFU. Our lodge is also deeply committed to promoting and preserving Croatian culture within the Lorain community.

Lodge 136 has a rich and storied history. Originally established in October 1900, it later merged with Lodge 287 (founded in 1905) in August 1932, and with Lodge 140 (founded in 1917) in July 1966. For many years, meetings were held at St. Vitus Church, but for the past 25 years, we’ve called the American Croatian Club in Lorain our home.

Over the decades, Lodge 136 has hosted a wide range of community-focused events—from picnics and card parties to Christmas celebrations. We’ve proudly sponsored golf, softball, and bowling teams to represent our lodge at national CFU tournaments, further fostering camaraderie and cultural pride.

A New Era of Involvement

While Lodge 136 experienced a quieter period in recent years, a new generation of officers and members has ushered in a resurgence of activity and community involvement.

Recent highlights include:

Hosting the 90th Annual CFU Bowling Tournament
Hosting the Pittsburgh Tamburitzans in Lorain
Organizing festive Christmas celebrations featuring live Croatian orchestras
Supporting a growing number of charitable donations annually to both Croatian and non-Croatian nonprofits

We are committed to continuing this momentum and expanding our impact within the community

Peyton Zakrajsek representing Croatia in the 2026 Lorain International Festival Princess pageant. Thank you for taking the time to share our heritage and culture! Best wishes to much success in your future.