Belgian-American Club of Chicago

History
The Belgian American Club has a long history in the city of Chicago.

Photo of St. John Berchmans Church The Belgians in Chicago first organized around 1904/1905 to help raise funds to build the Belgian Church, St. John Berchmans, at Logan Boulevard and Maplewood Avenue.

The president was Charles F. Strubbe (1857-1910) whose family originated from Bruges. Photo of Charles F. Strubbe He was active in the city’s public affairs, in labor circles and became a trustee of the new Belgian Church.

Almost a decade later, the Belgian-American Janitors club was formed and after several presidents in one year’s time, Gus Van Heck (1882-1968) took the leadership in 1915 for several decades and was then succeeded by his son, Ray Van Heck (1904-1984). The club grew rapidly to include more than 500 members.

Photo of Gus van Heck Around this time Gus Van Heck was also instrumental in the growth and development of Janitors’ Union Local 1, a union that organized the janitors in Chicago. Gus had a leadership role in the union and eventually became Vice President of the Union until 1955.

As a result, many new Belgian immigrants who arrived in Chicago would become janitors and join the union as well as the club.

The club was re-named the “Belgian American Club of Chicago” in 1948 and would continue until 1997. At that time, due to the decreasing number of members the death fund, that every member was entitled to, dissolved. Photo of Belgian Hall A group of more recent Belgian immigrants and expatriates restructured the club into a simpler format and today this revitalized organization has around one hundred member families.

In its heyday, the Belgian American (Janitors) Club had its own Belgian Hall on 2625 W. Fullerton. The building still stands today.

- Christina A. Reynen, Scholar-in-residence, Newberry Library

If you have any stories, anecdotes, photos, memoirs, scrapbooks, memorabilia etc. about your Belgian ancestors’ life or your own life in Chicago, and you would like to share them, please contact Bart Ryckbosch at the Belgian American Club (bart@viwchicago.org) who is doing research for a book on Belgian immigration to Chicago in the 19th and 20th century.

Elected Committee
The club is managed by an elected committee. The committee is responsible for all of the administrative aspects of the club: finance, business meetings, official activities, and also cooperative efforts with the Belgian Business Club of Chicago and other organizations. It also manages an up-to-date list of its members, of Belgians living in the area, and of people interested in Belgium's culture and people.

In order to meet the diverse interests of its membership, a wide gamut of activities are organized by the committee or other club members. It is the task of the committee to announce the events organized by members, by sending out a mailing (either via email or "snail" mail) to its members and any other interested parties.

Partners
Our partners help support the Belgian-American Club of Chicago. Please support them.

Labatt USA brings you Europe's best beer selection. Through its partnership with Interbrew, Labatt is helping to meet the increasing demand and popularity of premium specialty beers, by offering a rich brand portfolio representing the best variety and selection of both North American and international premium specialty beer brands from around the world. With an unwavering commitment to using only the finest ingredients and time-proven methods to brew some of the best beers in the world.

Stella Artois Pilsener traces its roots back to 1366. The Gold Standard European lager is a bottom fermented blond pilsener which uses the best barley and the finest hops. Stella Artois is a full-flavoured yet an exceptionally thirst quenching beer with a wonderful hop aroma. It should be served cold at 3°C. www.stellaartois.com

Hoegaarden is an authentic Belgian wheat beer. In fact, it is the original “Wit” beer! First brewed in 1445, this top fermented beer is refermented in the bottle or keg. Hoegaarden has a distinctive cloudy yellow colour delivering a sweet and sour beer with a little bitterness– slightly spicy, with a strong touch of coriander and a hint of orange. Unique and very refreshing, Hoegaarden should be served cold at 3°C.

Leffe Blonde is the brand leader among Belgian abbey beers— a beer for the connoisseur, but is also enjoyed by anyone who likes a rich, smooth taste. Leffe should be served cold at 5° to 7°C. Leffe Blonde is a top fermented ale, which combines wonderful malt characteristics with a spicy, cidery flavour. A surprisingly easy to drink strong beer, that has a beautiful yellow-gold colour, a full body and a subtle, aromatic flavour.