HOLY CROSS CHURCH 1970 – 2000

OUR PURPOSE: TO KNOW JESUS AND TO SHARE HIM





The opening of Holy Cross Episcopal Church was the fulfillment of a vision of the congregation of St. Paul's Church, Winter Haven.

For several years, their rector, the Rev. Lee Gilbertson, and the vestry had felt the need to open a parochial mission in the Cypress Gardens area in southeast Winter Haven where great growth was occurring. Their intent was two-fold: to provide an alternative style of Episcopal worship in the area, and to bring the Gospel to the unchurched in the fast growing suburbs where there was no church at that time.

 In the summer of 1970, Fr. Gilbertson felt the Lord telling him, "The time is now." On September 6, 1970, in a little building donated by St. Paul's parishioners John and Ella Wood, around an altar previously used at Holy Trinity, Bartow, 26 people gathered to celebrate the Holy Eucharist for the first tune as Holy Cross Church. Our name was chosen because Holy Cross Day, September 14, was the closest major feast day to the opening of the church, and because those involved felt that, with Holy Cross as the name of the church, the cross, the symbol of our redemption, would keep the congregation's hearts and minds directed towards Jesus Christ.2 During the first year, Holy Cross existed as a chapel of St. Paul's, sharing its clergy, administration, and offerings, yet developing its own style and personality.

St. Paul's curate, the Rev. Steve Caldwell, led Holy Cross during its earliest years. The store front church with folding chairs and a piano served well. The people who chose to worship there opened their homes for Sunday School, nursery, and prayer groups. But within two years, the need for larger facilities was evident. Under the direction of parishioner and master carpenter Milton Simons, the men of Holy Cross built a new church building at the corner of Lake Ned Rd. and Kipling Lane on land donated by John Wood, and the "little building" was moved to that site two blocks east of its original location to serve as a parish hall.

The Right Rev. William H. Folwell, Bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida, dedicated the now Holy Cross Church on November 20, 1972. In 1973, the Rev. Sterling Raybura became curate of St. Paul's under their new rector, the Rev. William Lahey, With Fr. Rayburn's encouragement, Holy Cross became a mission of the Diocese of Central Florida on Sept. 14, 1974, and Bishop Folwell appointed him vicar. In 1976, the parish hall, with kitchen, nursery, and offices, was built and dedicated hi memory of parishioner Herbert Apple. The "little building" was moved to Lakeland to be used by the newly-formed St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.

Dr. George Stebbins, a local physician, joined the Holy Cross family and served as deacon. While the congregation grew, Holy Cross, like the Episcopal Church nationwide, underwent the pangs of change prior to and following General Convention. 1976. Fr. Rayburn's beliefs led him to leave Holy Cross and the Episcopal Church in the summer of 1977.

 In October, 1977, The Rev. James Shortess was appointed vicar of Holy Cross and began a ministry of love and healing. He encouraged involvement in the deanery and diocese and renewed an ecumenical relationship with St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church with whom Holy Cross shared Vacation Bible Schools and Lenten programs. Fr. Shortess's three years at Holy Cross were a time of growth, both numerically and spiritually.

In August, 1981, the Rev. Paul Wolfe became vicar of Holy Cross. He encouraged long range planning and goals, and led the vestry to formulate our mission statement:

 " The mission of Holy Cross Church is to know Jesus Christ through worship, education, and fellowship, so that we go forth in Christ to share God's love."

In 1983, Holy Cross became financially independent and was elevated to parish status.

In 1987, a new Holy Cross Church was built, and many in the congregation worked to convert the wooden church building into Sunday School rooms and church offices. The congregation honored Milton Simmons for his devotion to the church and his work and leadership in the construction and renovation of the 1972 building by renaming it the Milton Simmons Educational Building.

The new church was dedicated by Bishop Folwell on May 17, 1987. Also in 1987, the Rev Mark Rivera, director of Anchor House, a home for neglected and abused boys in Auburndale, began his ministry as deacon at Holy Cross. The boys from Anchor House joined the parish family for worship on Sunday and presented us with a major opportunity to minister to them in love—as a parish and as individuals. Our commitment to Anchor House remains a high priority.

Fr. Wolfe left Holy Cross in January, 1992, and the Rev. Andrew Doan became rector in January, 1993. Under Fr. Andy's leadership, Holy Cross has increased its participation in outreach and evangelism, developed a cell group ministry, revitalized youth activities, and increased opportunities for lay ministries. In two and half decades, Holy Cross has grown in membership from 26 to over 200. We have shared in the excitement and frustrations of a brand new congregation, labored in the construction, furnishing, maintenance, and renovation of church buildings, celebrated becoming a mission of the diocese and then a parish.

The next five years, from 1995 to 2000, we were busy getting our physical plant in order and at the same time ministering to the spiritual needs of the parish and those around us. Improvements included a new roof on all of our buildings, rebuilding the west wall of the church and repairing the east wall, painting all of the buildings, relandscaping, adding a new narthex to keep the noise out of the sanctuary when people are preparing for worship. The major item was the re-making of our faceted glass windows. Some of the painting and landscaping was done by professionals but whenever possible a workday was called and the congregation responded. The painting was made easier with the smell of Fred Comparato's chicken barbecuing, a reminder of the feast to come.

 On two occasions, the Vestry made a trip to Pawley's Island, So. Carolina, to All Saints Church, and came back with renewed en­thusiasm and some great ideas to make our church what we hoped would be the friendliest church in Winter Haven.

A new Purpose Statement was adopted; one we hoped would be easy to remember.

"To Know Jesus and Share Him."

Our spiritual growth has been enhanced by programs such as Network and Alpha. Many more of our parishioners have attended Cursillo. It is all reflected in more and more people being involved in God's work. We have three cell groups, a Men's Breakfast Group and the Daughters of the King, some­thing for everyone. We help support Anchor House, Camp Wingman and two missionary families as well as other organizations in need. We have special projects at Christmas with our Angel Tree and Shoebox Gifts. Our youth have had fund raisers for Camp Wingman and have been on mission trips. Thanks to a generous bequest form the estate of Buck and Lou Mays we were able to purchase a new organ to replace our 20 year old used organ and also a sound system. They have both enhanced our worship services.

In the year 2000, we hired an organist, Mr. Paul Bartlett and a youth director, Mrs. James Cobb, both have been on our prayer list for two years. We look forward to the new millennium with great expectations. Great things are happening at Holy Cross as we "Lift High the Cross, the Love of God Proclaim, til all the world adore His Sacred Name.