Holy Cross, Sanford, Embraces Past, Present in 150th Anniversary CelebrationFebruary 7, 2023 • Marti Pieper  • DIOCESAN FAMILY • EVENTS

“For us, ‘historic’ does not mean we are a museum for the past, but rather that God has given to us a significant responsibility for the present and the future of our community.”

Holy Cross, Sanford, is holding true to this declaration on the church website, marking its 150th anniversary this April with a celebration that began in January and will continue with events scheduled every month of the year.

“To celebrate 150 years, we didn’t feel like one event was enough,” said the Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith, priest-in-charge. “We also wanted to make sure this year was a way of really opening up after COVID and having lots of opportunities to invite people in and celebrate beauty, celebrate life. … We’re hoping to reach out and build community in lots of ways.”

The church designated a special 150th Planning Committee, which has taken charge of coordinating the events and working with the leaders of each one. “We’re trying to bring not only the history of Holy Cross Church, but the history of Sanford into our celebration because they’re so intermingled,” said Kathy Krasnoff, committee spokesperson.

Holy Cross took its first steps as a congregation in the 1870s, when city founder Gen. Henry Sanford and his wife, Gertrude, provided the land for the church and she solicited most of the donations. The Carpenter Gothic structure, designed by renowned architect Richard Armstrong, who designed Holy Trinity Church in New York City, was consecrated in 1873 and considered the mother Episcopal church for the area. When a hurricane destroyed it in 1880, a second building was immediately built. Fire destroyed this building, along with the parish hall and other nearby buildings, in 1928. After that, the current church building was constructed.

Guests enjoying a “Taste of Holy Cross” on Jan. 28 in the parish hall | Photo Credit: David Lewis

To kick off the celebratory year, the church sponsored a “Taste of Holy Cross” event on Saturday, Jan. 28, sponsored by the church’s St. Mary’s Guild with logistical assistance from the Band of Brothers men’s ministry. The culinary event featured samples of food from the guild’s 150th Anniversary Cookbook, also sold at the event.

The next anniversary event included a Feb. 24 spaghetti dinner preceding the screening of a documentary about Holy Cross, put together by the church’s Historical Committee and featuring current members, including church historian Betty Peacock Skates. Copies of the documentary are available upon request for a suggested donation of $10.

A variety of events follow for the rest of the year, and church members are working hard to present them all “in the best way possible,” Krasnoff said. On March 23, the 150th Planning Committee, in conjunction with the Sanford Historical Museum, will present a panel discussion on growing up in Sanford and at Holy Cross in the 1950s and 1960s. The event features longtime Holy Cross members Joshua and Randall Chase and will be moderated by fellow church member Ross Wontenay. For more information about this event, click here.

The following Sunday, March 26, Smith will celebrate an Instructed Eucharist, in which he explains the symbolism behind this significant part of worship and why Episcopalians celebrate it so often.

Doris Brady (near L) explaining to Father Dan Smith (R) that at church functions, the calories don’t count, while Susan Vernon (far L) looks on and laughs. | Photo Credit: David Lewis

“We’re really excited about everything we’re doing,” Krasnoff said. Other anniversary events are scheduled throughout 2034; below is a brief summary. For a more extensive summary of the year’s anniversary events and information on current ones, visit this link.

  • April 16, Consecration Sunday: The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer will visit to celebrate the consecration of the first Church of the Holy Cross on April 20, 1873; a breakfast will precede at 8:30 a.m.
  • May 26, 6 p.m.; May 28, 8 p.m., “Her Dear Little Church”: Successive presentations of the filmed version of a play portraying Gen. Sanford and his wife as they sponsored the building of Holy Cross.
  • June 10, Consecration of Bishop-elect Justin S. Holcomb, Calvary, Orlando: The church has hired a bus and driver to allow members and guests to participate in this special event.
  • July 2, Independence Day Bar-B-Q: The church’s annual barbecue, held at the Smith home and featuring Bible and Holy Cross trivia for a 150th anniversary twist.
  • August, Pastor Appreciation Month: This celebration invites the church to express thanks for the leadership it has experienced over its 150 years.
  • Sept. 15-17, Spiritual Development Weekend: Featuring a renowned Bible teacher, this weekend of study and reflection will conclude with Homecoming and Holy Cross Sunday.
  • Oct. 22, World Mission Fair Sunday: This after-church event focuses on various volunteer organizations sharing information, and leads into Missions Week.
  • Oct. 23-27, Missions Week: Every day, a group of volunteers will serve at a prearranged location such as The Sharing Center, Second Harvest and other sites.
  • Nov. 3-4, 11 a.m.: Ladies’ Tea and Tour: This event will be held at the DeBary Hall Historic Site, with space at tea time limited to 20 participants.
  • Nov. TBA, concert, “Sounds of Holy Cross”: This musical event features the 50th anniversary of the church’s Casavant Pipe Organ.
  • Dec. 2, Holiday Tour of Homes: Tour the historic church with docents who will lead you through its 150 years.