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Today we dedicated a plaque designating Holy Cross as listed on the National Register of Historic Places – NPS Fr. James Booker blesses the plaque as Dr. James Louttit, MD and Rev. Alfred Cole unveil the plaque.

Over the past seven months, Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Sanford has embarked on a major renovation of the exterior of its historic structure. The Church has a fascinating history that is tied closely to the City of Sanford and to Central Florida in general.

On Sunday April 12, 2015, the Church dedicated a plaque commemorating the building’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The congregation is extremely proud of the impact the Church has made on Sanford and Central Florida over the last 142 years. Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Sanford was established in 1873 at the direction of Henry Shelton Sanford from Connecticut. General Sanford arrived in the area in 1870. He saw great promise for this area as a port to supply south Florida.

Lake Monroe was the southern terminus for steamboat traffic on the St. Johns River, just 200 miles from Jacksonville. Henry Sanford also saw fertile land for growing citrus fruits and vegetables. He purchased 12,547 acres and laid out a town. He designated lots for an Episcopal church. This was the first Episcopal mission in Central Florida.

Sanford’s wife, Gertrude, took great interest in the church and wrote letters to her wealthy friends in the North to solicit donations for the church. Money was raised and the church was built using plans by renowned architect, Richard Upjohn, who designed Trinity Church in New York City. The style was of Carpenter Gothic.

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It was 49 years ago that William C. Kelley, Frank A. Burkard and H. William Thornburg sat together one day in a café, and the idea for Trinity Towers was sketched out on a napkin. The idea would require the support of the Melbourne City Council; that happened with the support of Melbourne Mayor Grady W. White and city councilman, George I. Kaufman. Melbourne City attorney, W. Jackson Vaughn also worked on the project. Support was needed in the County Commission; that was provided by Joe Wickham.

New ideas require seed money, and Radiation founder, Homer R. Denius supplied the money to send Frank A. Burkard and attorney Ralph Geilich to Washington D.C. to get funding from the federal government. (Radiation was the predecessor corporation to Harris Corp.)

Paintings of The Rev. Alex Boyer and his wife, Peg Boyer (both deceased) This is the priest and his wife who “started” and sustained Trinity Towers throughout their long lives through hard work and personal philanthropy.

It turned out that the federal government would not approve the project initially, because the U.S. department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) considered Melbourne too small a city to sponsor such a project. That is when Fr. Alex Boyer of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church got involved.

Fr. Boyer wrote a memoir of how he got involved in the project. He wrote, “A phone call came into my office telling of an elderly couple who were literally being put out on the street for non-payment of rent. The economy was booming and rising rents made it impossible for this elderly couple to keep up. The caller wanted to know what I was going to do about their needs. The lady was very old and blind. Her husband was a retired newspaper reporter with an alcohol problem. Their income consisted of her Social Security check. I found them the only place that they could afford. It was a converted box car in West Melbourne.”

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The Clergy and Staff of the
Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist

invite you to their 4th annual

Administrative Assistant Luncheon

on April 22, 2015
11:30 a.m. till 1:30 p.m.
1000 Bethune Drive
Orlando, FL 32805

RSVP by April 17th, contact Beverly or Krisita by phone at: (407)295-1923, or by e-mail: stjohneps@bellsouth.net

Donation $15.00

Lifetree Café is a conversational café where people gather weekly to explore life and faith. Join us for compelling stories about fascinating people. Stories from the news. Stories from our own lives. The story of what God is doing in the world around us. At Lifetree Café, we explore all those stories and make sense of our faith and our lives. The Lifetree motto is…

You’re welcome just as you are. Your thoughts are welcome. Your doubts are welcome. We’re all in this together. God is here, ready to connect with you in a fresh way.

Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are offered. Come dressed casually, and bring a friend!

Thursday April 2nd 7:15 PM
How to Be True to Your Faith (Without Being a Jerk)

The evening features an interview with religious ethicist Jacob Robinson. “I started to learn that instead of correcting people, I needed to learn how to listen. Before I had always listened to correct; I didn’t listen to care,” says Robinson. Participants will gain practical skills for having religious conversations in a way that engages people instead of pushing them away.

Thursday April 9th 7:15 PM
Surviving the Death of a Loved One

The program includes a film featuring Susan Burton, a woman who lost an infant child to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. “It’s been 10 years,” says Burton, “but Emily is still a part of our family and our life. You can’t pretend the loss didn’t happen-you’ve got to cope with it.” Burton will discuss what proved helpful as she moved through grief and found peace and healing.

Thursday April 16th 7:15 PM
How Do I Know What God Wants Me to Do?

We will watch a film featuring Michael Binder, who asked God to weigh in on whether he should switch careers. “I hoped for guidance, but none came. I thought if God was there I should have heard something, but then I realized I had no idea what it would have sounded like had God answered.” We will consider whether God provides guidance and, if so, how to hear it.

Thursday April 23rd 7:15 PM
Inside the Gun Debate: To Hunt? To Defend? To Assault?

The evening features filmed interviews with Tom Mauser, whose son died at Columbine High School, and Michael Lang, a concealed weapon firearms instructor. This is a community forum for open discussion. Participants will have the opportunity to hear various viewpoints and to offer their own.

Thursday April 30th 7:15 PM
Isolated and Alone: Imprisoned in Iran

The evening includes a filmed interview with Sarah Shourd, who accidentally crossed the Iranian border while hiking and was held in solitary confinement for 410 days. “Everything about solitary is meant to dehumanize you and turn you against yourself and everyone else,” says Shourd. “As I got worse, the limited time I was allowed with my fellow hikers became my lifeline and gave me the strength to fight against my conditions.” Participants will consider the consequences of loneliness and how they can avoid experiencing it.

Note: Lifetree Cafe at the Church of the Holy Presence will be closing after the month of April.
It is a ministry that truly blessed this congregation with new friends and new members.
Thank you for your support and prayers.