St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church
St. John’s Church is one of Bohemia’s most resilient landmarks. Built in 1885 as a mission of St. Patrick’s in Bay Shore, it became an independent parish in 1919 under its first resident pastor, Rev. Wenceslaus Kroupa. For decades, the wooden church seated only 104 people, making it the smallest parish church in the diocese.
As Bohemia grew, the congregation moved Sunday Masses to the parish school auditorium in the 1960s until a larger, modern church was dedicated in 1982. However, the original 19th-century building remained a beloved piece of local history. In recognition of its significance, the Town of Islip placed an official historical marker on the site in 2011.
Just a year later, on April 3, 2012, tragedy struck when an electrical fire broke out around noon. The blaze gutted the interior and destroyed eight of the nine historic stained-glass windows, though firefighters saved the structure itself. In a remarkable display of community spirit—aided by a generous anonymous donor who funded the new copper roof and stucco façade—the church was fully restored. Today, it stands as a symbol of the parish’s endurance and serves as a vibrant center for Youth Ministry.
CSA Hall
Like many immigrant groups, the Czech settlers of Bohemia relied on benevolent associations to support families during times of sickness, death, or tragedy. In 1875, local residents formed a chapter of the national Czechoslovak Society of America (C.S.A.).
The society’s first home, built in 1892, stood at the prominent intersection of Smithtown Avenue and Union Street. As the organization grew, this original hall was sold to a cigar manufacturer in 1920, and the society moved to a new, larger facility nearby on Smithtown Avenue.
This second C.S.A. Hall became the social heartbeat of the town. It featured a downstairs taproom, an upstairs meeting room, and a grand ballroom that could hold 250 people. For decades, it was the go-to venue for dances, theatrical plays, and weddings, while the spacious grounds hosted popular picnics and fairs.
By the 1960s, as television and modern entertainment changed social habits, attendance dwindled, and the hall was sold. While the C.S.A. still exists today as a fraternal benefit life insurance society, the physical legacy of the Bohemia chapter remains in our streetscape: both former halls have been converted into apartment houses.
1875: Bohemia settlers form a local lodge of the Czechoslovak Society of America (C.S.A.) to provide insurance and aid to families.
1892 (The First Hall): The first hall is constructed at Smithtown Avenue and Union Street. It was sold in 1920 to a local cigar manufacturer.
1920 (The Second Hall): A larger hall is built nearby on Smithtown Avenue. With a capacity of 250, a bar room, and picnic grounds, it becomes a primary center for dances, plays, and social life.
1960s – Present: With the rise of home entertainment (TV), the hall’s usage declined. It was sold in the 1960s. Today, both historic structures have been preserved as residential apartments.
Statue of Jan Hus
When Czech immigrants settled in Bohemia, they brought with them not only their dreams but also the fierce religious independence of their homeland. While many were devout Catholics, a significant number were “Freethinkers” who revered Jan Hus, the 15th-century priest burned at the stake for challenging Church doctrine. To them, Hus was more than a martyr; he was a symbol of Czech nationalism and resistance against the Austro-Hungarian empire.
In 1893, the local community—led by the newly formed Bohemia Union Cemetery Association—erected a granite monument in his honor. Carved in Vermont at a cost of roughly $1,400 (a substantial sum at the time), it was dedicated on September 26, 1893.
Standing proudly in the center of the cemetery, it is cited as the first memorial statue in the United States erected to honor a foreigner. For generations, it served as a gathering point for those who sought a resting place independent of strict church oversight. The monument was rededicated in 1993 to mark its centennial, ensuring that the “Great Witness” of Czech history remains a central figure in our town.
Subject: Jan Hus (c. 1370–1415), Czech priest and reformer.
Location: Bohemia Union Cemetery.
Erected: September 26, 1893.
Significance: The first memorial statue in the U.S. dedicated to a foreign national.
Origin: Carved from granite in Vermont.
Cost: Approximately $1,400 (funded by voluntary contributions).
The Inscription: The chalice he holds represents his belief that Holy Communion should be given in the form of both bread and wine.
Cerny’s Bakery
For over 75 years, the aroma of fresh rye bread was a defining characteristic of Smithtown Avenue. Founded in 1927 by Joseph Cerny, a master baker trained in Prague, the bakery became the culinary heart of the local Czech community.
Cerny’s was famous for using traditional Old World recipes to produce crispy rye bread and beloved Czech specialties: Vánočka (braided Christmas bread), Mazance (Easter bread), Housky (braided rolls), and Koláčky (pastries filled with poppy seed, prune butter, or cheese).
In an era before supermarkets, the bakery was also known for its “bread route.” A Cerny’s delivery truck became a familiar sight, bringing fresh goods directly to homes in Bohemia, Islip Terrace, and East Islip. The business remained a family legacy for four generations, finally closing its doors in October 2003. Although the ovens are now cold and the building has been repurposed, the memory of Cerny’s rye remains legendary in the hamlet.
Cervenka’s Market
Benedict and Swanda built many structures in Bohemia.
In 1923, Cyril Cervenka commissioned the local firm of Benedict and Swanda to construct a new home and store at the corner of Locust Avenue and Church Street. The building was state-of-the-art for its time, featuring a modern walk-in refrigerator that set it apart from older establishments.
In its early years, Cervenka’s was a true general store, supplying the community with everything from daily groceries and fresh produce to farm essentials like seed potatoes and chicken feed. Cyril became a familiar sight around town, delivering orders in his signature green panel truck.
More than just a business owner, Cyril was a neighbor who looked out for his community. During hard times—particularly the Great Depression—he was known to keep a “little book” behind the counter, allowing struggling families to buy groceries on credit and pay only when they were able.
The business eventually passed to Cyril’s son, George, who ran the market with his family for many years. Today, the building remains a fixture of the neighborhood, continuing to serve Bohemia as the Locust Avenue Deli.
Chateau La Boheme (The Normandie Inn)
Perhaps the most visually distinctive establishment in Bohemia’s history is the Chateau La Boheme. Built in 1928 for Lillian and Anthony Divis by local contractor Winnie Benedict, the structure was designed in a striking French Provincial style. Interestingly, the Chateau was constructed around an existing garage and blacksmith shop, incorporating the older structure into its grand design.
For decades, the interior was as impressive as the exterior. The elegant dining room featured a massive carved fireplace reputedly dating back 500 years, guarded by two suits of armor from the 17th century. The restaurant remained in the Divis family until the mid-1960s, after which it passed through several owners, becoming best known to a later generation as The Normandie Inn.
After the Inn closed, the building sat vacant and deteriorating for an extended period. Tragically, during this time, the historic suits of armor were stolen and have never been recovered.
Unfortunately, the building suffered too many years of neglect. An attempt was made to renovate the structure, but during the initial construction, it was confirmed that the building could not be saved. Consequently, the historic structure was torn down.
A New Chapter
While the original building is gone, its iconic look remains on the streetscape. In 2024, a replica of the distinct French Provincial building was constructed on the site. This new structure now houses a Jersey Mike’s Subs, ensuring that the visual legacy of the Chateau La Boheme lives on for future generations.
Bohemia School (The Little Red Schoolhouse)
Long before the sprawling Connetquot Central School District existed, Bohemia educated its own children in a series of humble wooden schoolhouses. The most famous of these—affectionately known as “The Little Red Schoolhouse”—was the 1903 School located on Ocean Avenue.
Established originally as Bohemia School District No. 14 in 1866, the district served the community independently for decades. As the town’s population grew, the district authorized a new, larger school building which was completed on July 3, 1903. For over half a century, this building was the center of civic life, hosting not just classes but town meetings and social events.
In 1918, Bohemia consolidated with the neighboring Oakdale district to form Union Free School District No. 7, though the local schoolhouse remained in active use. The era of the one-room schoolhouse finally ended in the 1950s and 60s with the formation of the Connetquot Central School District and the construction of modern facilities.
Today, the spirit of the Little Red Schoolhouse lives on at the Bohemia Historical Society Museum on Locust Avenue. The museum houses the original 1903 school bell—a dedicated town landmark—along with desks, photos, and the memories of the generations of children who learned their ABCs within its walls.
The original iron bell that once summoned generations of Bohemia children to class at the “Little Red Schoolhouse” has found a permanent home. Today, it sits proudly in front of the Bohemia Historical Society Museum on Locust Avenue. As the enduring “voice” of our community’s past, the bell was chosen as the official logo of the Historical Society, symbolizing our commitment to ringing out the history of Bohemia for future generations.
- 1866: Bohemia School District No. 14 is officially founded to serve local families.
- 1903: The iconic new schoolhouse is completed and dedicated on July 3rd.
- 1918: Bohemia consolidates with Oakdale to form Union Free School District No. 7.
- 1960: The district merges into the modern Connetquot Central School District; the old schoolhouses are eventually phased out.
- Today: The original 1903 School Bell is preserved as a historic landmark. The Bohemia Historical Society Museum (opened 2009 at 1519 Locust Ave) was built to preserve these artifacts and serves as the community’s modern “schoolhouse” for history.
