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.

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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.

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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.

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 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

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