St. Paul of the Cross Parish was established in May of 1970 by Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll. He invited the Passionist Fathers to staff and serve the new parish and in August 1970, the order named Father Charles K. Sullivan as a pastor.
St Paul of the Cross was the first parish in Florida to be administered by the Passionist Fathers.
The first Mass was celebrated on Saturday , August 15 in the Juno Volunteer Firehouse with 200 families.
In late 1973, the parish outgrew its facilities at the firehouse and was welcomed into Faith Lutheran Church for the Saturday evening Mass. The congregation of Faith Lutheran, with Pastor John Frekking, shared its church with the people of St. Paul's from 1973- 1976. All Sunday Masses were celebrated at Christopher's (restaurant) at Lake Park Florida until the Parish Center was completed .
(image- firehouse)
By 1975, St. Paul parish grew to 300 families. It was time to find the place for the new St. Paul of the Cross Church, permanent place of worship. In February 1978 groundbreaking took place at Just south of Lost Tree Village on A1A. The building was planned as a combination of Capel and Parish center.
(Image- groundbreaking )
(Image- construction church)
Plans for the new church began in June of 1976. The church building would be a symbol as well as a place of worship and prayer, where people can seek God. The new church was dedicated on May 13th, 1979, by this time the parish had increased to 800 families.
The door of the church aptly symbolizes the life of Christ. The stained glass windows from Barcelona, Spain, depict the passion of Jesus. These windows, illumined by sunlight, are a true source of inspiration as they tell of Christ’s love for His people.
(Image- stained glass )
On the back of the sanctuary, one sees an image of the resurrected Christ, done in ceramic relief. This image calls forth our need for persevering faith in the risen Christ. Ceramic reliefs of Mary and Joseph adorn the side walls.
(Image- Joseph, Mary andJjesus)
The decorative panels beneath the resurrected Christ symbolize the divine grace received through the seven sacraments. The final panel depicts the crown of thorns. It is a symbol of the sufferings of Christ later turned into the crown of glory, and a reminder that all life begins and ends in Christ.
(Image- decorative panel)
The above symbols together with the last supper scene on the altar frontal, and those of the other sanctuary furnishings, are done in marquetry. This is a century old European technique which uses inlaid woods and blends simplicity with richness.
(Image- altar Last Supper)
(Image- pipe organ)
The church organ is a Moeller Pipe Organ, highly acclaimed by the American Guild of Organists. Beautiful to see and hear, this instrument has over 1500 pipes. It adds to the beauty and inspiration of the people’s song of praise to God.
The parish buildings are more than brick and mortar; they are an expression of the faith and love of the parish founders. They serve as a sign of the love of the St. Paul of the Cross community today. This community shares one faith in Jesus Christ and works as an instrument of His peace, so that His Kingdom may come here on earth.