Diocese: Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania
Deanery: Wilkes-Barre Deanery
Address
1725 Holy Cross Ln
Williamsport, Pennsylvania 17701-2749
Website: holycrosswilliamsport.org
Home: 570-322-3020
Parish Contacts
Directions
Holy Cross serves North Central PA families that live in Lycoming and surrounding counties. The area is serviced by the Williamsport Regional Airport in Montoursville and has local transit bus service. The Church is easily accessible, located just 2 blocks north off the Faxon Exit of I-180 (off Northway Rd), about 100 yards on the left after the second traffic signal.
Schedule of Services
5:00 PM Great Vespers.
Saturday Evening
9:40 AM Hours; 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy.
Sunday Morning
5:30 PM Compline, followed by Bible Study.
Wednesday Evening
5:00 PM Great Vespers.
Eves of Great Feasts
9:00 AM Divine Liturgy.
Mornings of Great Feasts
5:30 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
Wednesday Evenings in Great Lent
Private confessions are available at any time by appointment and before/after Vespers.
Confessions
Call the office at 570-322-3020 for schedule updates and special services.
Parish Background
Parish Background and History
Holy Cross was established as a mission station in 1977 when a small group of Orthodox faithful living in the area “found each other”. They petitioned the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania to hold services in a local high school. Diocesan priests provided service until the assignment of +Fr John Kozak in February 1978 as the first resident priest.
Fr Daniel Kovalak was assigned to the mission (coming from Miami, FL) in September 1978. Two months later, the community was given the name of “The Elevation of the Holy Cross” at a special service.
In 1979, the current parcel of property (then vacant) was purchased. Obtaining a bank loan (with some difficulty!), a combination rectory/chapel was constructed and was occupied by Palm Sunday, March 30, 1980. A full parish life ensued. Often, the community’s growth was stunted with numerous relocations of parishioners away from the area for employment considerations. The ultimate vision of building a church remained a goal during the early years of struggle.
The mission began to develop the strategy to accomplish its vision in 1986. Building plans were generated for a log structure (Williamsport was the log capital of the world in the 19th century). On November 2, 1986, the community unanimously (and enthusiastically) adopted the project and rolled up their sleeves to execute the plan.
On May 17, 1987, the mission observed “Super Sunday”; simultaneously burning the mortgage on the property and breaking ground for the new church. Over the next 17 months, work crews of parishioners and “friends” joined the pastor in the nitty-gritty tasks of construction under the leadership of master builder Paul Beard.
The basic structure of the church is a 200+ year-old hand-hewn log barn, painstakingly dismantled, cleaned, transported (from six miles away) and reassembled on site. The distinctive cupolas were executed within the structure and hoisted into place. Various appointments were discovered from numerous sources that enhanced the building-in-progress to conform to “God’s design”. This project was accomplished without a mortgage. Parishioner loans and generous financial support to this unique project satisfied construction costs.
The new church, now a full-fledged parish, was formally consecrated to the glory of God on November 12, 1988, by His Grace Bishop Herman (+2022). Within the altar table were sealed the relics of the Great Martyr Catherine of Alexandria (+305).
Holy Cross opened its Orthodox Fellowship Center located directly behind the church in July 2002—another parishioner-built structure.
The church is one of the most unique structures in Pennsylvania and has generated great interest. Artists, photographers and tourists stop by regularly just to get a glimpse of our beautiful Parish, as well as international tourists during the annual Little League World Series held in August.
After the retirement of Fr Daniel Kovalak in 2018, His Eminence Archbishop MARK assigned Fr Seraphim Reynolds as Rector in October 2018.
Profile
Holy Cross Orthodox Church welcomes people of all national backgrounds, and all services are conducted in English. Nearly 3/4 of the current membership consists of converts to the Orthodox faith, many of them being drawn to investigate the ancient Christian Faith. A genuine spirit of Christian charity is predominant as the parish generously supports many local, national, and international efforts, both humanitarian and church related.
Our Purpose
To proclaim the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ, by being examples of living an authentic Orthodox Christian life before all.
To aid in transforming lives, through prayerful worship, education, charitable aid, mission, and fellowship.
To share the beauty of our Orthodox Christian Faith, to love and serve everyone, not only locally, but all of Lycoming County and beyond.
We are called to be “doers” of the Word, and not only “hearers,” thereby being effective witnesses for Jesus Christ. All of this for the Glory of God!
