Chris & Nadine

Built during the 16th century, the Church of St. Michael (Crkva sv. Mihovil) is in the center of a great deal of history. 

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The church is one of two Catholic churches that service the village of Rašćane, in the Biokovo Valley. Named after the oak tree that once grew abundantly in the area, the Rašćane settlement is thought to have been inhabited as early as the Bronze Age, although the area as it is known now is mentioned as early as the 12th century. The church itself is rumoured to be the burial spot of some Templars!

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Through centuries of shifting hands - from Turks, to the French, to the Austria-Hungarian Empire, becoming the Kingdom of Yugoslavia before gaining Croatian independence -this particular area is known for its culturally significant hamlets. One such hamlet, Veliki Godinj, housed the Pavlinovics before their journey to Canada and before its own recognition by the Croatian Registry of Cultural Goods. It is today a preserved gem and museum example of folk architecture and civil engineering of the Dalmatian hinterland.

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The most important history contained within this church, however, is family history. This is where, just 59 years ago, Josip Pavlinovic & Mirjana Kovacevic were married. Just one year later, they brought their first-born, Meri Pavlinovic, to be baptised there: that little girl would then emigrate to Canada with her parents, growing up to become Mary Stickings and mother to Christopher.

 

Without that first love story - and the ones that followed - we would have nothing to celebrate in August 2026. While many places around the world hold a special place in our hearts, such as St. Agnes Parish in Quinan or St. Joseph's in Kelly's Cross, we've opted to bring you - our loved ones - overseas to share the magic of this place with you in a once in a lifetime adventure!