Holy Cross, Sanford, Celebrates Transformation

“For more than 150 years, Holy Cross Episcopal Church has played a significant role in the history of Sanford and Central Florida.” The Rev. Jared Jones, who has served as rector of Holy Cross, Sanford, since Advent Sunday in 2023, agrees with that statement from the church website. Still, he said, there has never been a more exciting time to be a member of the parish than right now.

The priest is not, however, giving himself credit for what has been referred to as a “significant transformation” of the church over the past few years. Instead, he attributes the revitalization to the incredible work of the Holy Spirit in presenting to both church members and potential church members the truth of the love and gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Right now, there is a lot of energy and excitement in the parish,” Jones said. “I think what we’re trying to do is to create an Episcopal church that is rooted in what it means to be Anglican. I absolutely love what God is doing here. People from all kinds of leanings and doctrinal specifics are coming here and hanging out and talking together, laughing together and praying together. It’s all happening here.”

Mr. Michael Vernon, senior warden at Holy Cross and a member of the church for more than 30 years, said the congregation has enjoyed a healthy growth incline since Jones’ arrival. He said in August 2024, a total of 68 people attended the church’s two Sunday services, but as of mid-August 2025, that number had increased to 114.

“It’s really quite amazing what has happened,” Vernon said. “Father Jared would never take even partial credit for what has been going on here, but he is a youthful pastor who has brought a youthful attitude into this church. Holy Cross is a steady church, and we all work together … everybody has pitched in. We went through some challenging times, but it was never a burden. God is now giving us the opportunity to excel, and that’s what’s happening.”

Rebuilding the Foundation

In 2013, the church established in 1873 found itself without a full-time rector as both attendance and enthusiasm continued to decline. In 2016, the Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith was called upon to lead the church, but on only a part-time basis.

However, his presence and leadership set Holy Cross back on a healthy trajectory. Although it took longer than many might have anticipated – seven years – the church’s fortunes were reestablished.

“There had been some conflict with the previous rector, and I admire the church for taking a chance to go to a part-time priest,” said Smith, who became canon to the ordinary for the diocese in 2023. “I was contracted only to be there half the time, but we concentrated on rebuilding the foundation, if you will. We rebuilt the financial situation and got them back on a balanced budget. It put them in the best shape they had been in three decades in terms of money. Rebuilding the foundation enabled them to take the next risk: to go back to a full-time priest again.”

Enter Jones, who has helped build what could be termed a melting pot of a congregation that he said includes former Presbyterians, Baptists, Lutherans and those from a nondenominational background. Holy Cross today is a mix of the young and the experienced, new Christians and those who have been Christ-followers for years.

“That’s what Anglicanism is meant to be,” he said.

Jones has put an emphasis on social media to attract a younger audience, and it has paid off handsomely. With the help of a generous donor, he said, Holy Cross has been enabled to produce what he said are some “well-made videos,” available on YouTube. The church’s presence on Facebook has also increased.

Another thing that has attracted new members has been revitalized worship, which Jones said has made the place “lively and joyful.” Vernon said the church organist is a 16-year-old young man whose talent will “blow you away.” That teen has a 6-year-old brother who also plays the organ and helps add to the musical attractiveness of the church services.

The implementation of the Alpha program, a widely used, nondenominational course that explores the basics of the Christian faith, has also been a huge factor in the church’s transformation. Jones said Holy Cross executes three Alpha courses each year.

Emphasizing the Gospel

The Holy Cross rector sees his leadership style as akin to that of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb. Like the bishop, he sees the preaching of the gospel as the most important aspect of his work at Holy Cross – bringing in people who need to hear what Jesus Christ did for them in dying on the cross and what he can do for their everyday lives.

“I think people coming to know the gospel and knowing that Jesus really does love them makes all the difference,” Jones said. “The other day, I had a parishioner pull me aside and talk to me about a sin they struggled with. I told them, ‘Jesus is not waiting for you to get your act together, because He loves you.’ They had never had anyone tell them that before, and this person said it has changed their life.”

“No one is looking for an Episcopal church,” he explained. “They are looking for a healthy church. They don’t care about denominations. We focus on core principles of being Anglican. Our goal at Holy Cross is not to recycle Christians of all denominations but to make new ones. We’ve got people who have not ever gone to church or who haven’t come in a long time, and they’re finding comfort, joy, a sense of belonging and peace.”