Elevation of the Holy Cross Orthodox Church celebrates 35th Anniversary - 10/21/12
On October 21st, His Eminence, Archbishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, presided at the celebration of the the 35th anniversary of the founding of Elevation of the Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Williamsport, PA. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was also concelebrated by Fr. Daniel Kovalak, the Rector of the Holy Cross and Fr. Eugene Pianovich.
The basic structure of Holy Cross Church is a former 200-year-old log barn of hand-hewn timbers, painstakingly dismantled, delivered and reassembled on site from a location some five miles away. Beginning in June, 1987, over the next 17 months, the pastor and parishioners volunteered their talents and tireless efforts in all phases of the construction process. The use of logs seemed appropriate for Williamsport, the one-time 'log capital of the world'. The distinctive 'onion domes' were built on site and hoisted into place as the crowning glory of the church, surmounted by hand-crafted crosses plated with gold leaf. The church was formally consecrated on November 12, 1988 (and has since become affectionately well-known throughout the region as "the little, wooden Orthodox church").
The 35th anniversary celebration concluded with a banquet, held after the Divine Liturgy in the Church hall.