Beneath the California sun, a story of faith and resilience unfolds at Saint Cross Episcopal Church. Norma Hughes, a member for over 45 years, has seen it all. She taught Sunday School. Her children were baptized and married here.
Saint Cross Episcopal Church has stood as a beacon in Hermosa Beach. Its history is intertwined with community triumphs and trials. The McMartin Pre-School scandal cast a shadow. False accusations of Satanic rituals at Saint Cross shook the community. Vandalism and harassment followed.
In 1985 a former McMartin pupil testified that child molesters had dragged him to Satanic rituals at Saint Cross. The size of the congregation dropped. The church faced immense pressure. Despite the turmoil, a determined core of people remained at Saint Cross.
Founded around the turn of the century, Saint Cross began as a small gathering. Visiting ministers held services in a schoolhouse. Sunday school took place in the back of the Post Office. The church got its first permanent building in 1909. It was a humble beginning for Saint Cross.
By 1952 Saint Cross had grown. A new, grander building was constructed on Monterey Boulevard. High on a knoll, it overlooked the beach. A luminous azure stained-glass window adorned the altar. The sound of gulls and the smell of the sea filled the air.
In the 1960s, Saint Cross thrived. There were 10 church classrooms. The Sunday school was the finest in the Diocese of Los Angeles. Friday night Lenten fish dinners were a tradition. The church founded the 1736 House as a crisis center. It supported runaways and battered women.
In 1981, Reverend Jack D. Eales became rector of Saint Cross. He faced the challenges head-on. The McMartin scandal tested the church’s spirit. Enrollment at the preschool plummeted. The entire church staff underwent lie-detector tests.
Despite the difficulties, Saint Cross persevered. New members joined. The church began to regroup. Reverend Eales retired due to the stress. But the community’s faith remained strong.
Today, Saint Cross continues to serve its community. It offers Holy Eucharist services. The choir sings beautifully. The church actively supports the unhoused. It participates in Laundry Love.
The church’s clergy includes innovative leaders. Reverend Dr. Rachel Nyback is the rector. She is known for mentoring recently ordained clergy. Saint Cross is a place of welcome and service.
The doors of Saint Cross are open. The spirit of faith endures. This church stands as a testament to the strength of community. It is a beacon of hope in Hermosa Beach.