any of the Slovenians who first arrived in New York in the late 19th century came from the Domžale region and introduced their specialized straw-hat making trade to America. Originally settling in the East Village with many other Eastern and Central European groups, Slovenians since 1916 have made the Church of St. Syril on St. Mark's Place an important community center, offering Slovenian language classes and serving as a hub for other community groups and activities. Many Slovenian speakers, including a later wave following the Second World War, settled elsewhere in the city, especially Brooklyn, and beyond (including the Bridgeport-Fairfield area in Connecticut). There were some who spoke in the lanugage in the distinctive community of Gottscheers, a Germanic group from what is today Slovenia, which made its home in Ridgewood, Queens and the surrounding area.