How quickly can a church become more than just bricks and mortar? St. John the Forerunner Orthodox Church in Cedar Park, Texas, proves it can happen remarkably fast. Our journey begins not with grandeur, but in a humble classroom. In 1993, Father James Kenna of St. Elias Orthodox Church saw a need. He gathered a group, and with blessings from Archbishop Metropolitan Philip Saliba, Father Stephen Rhudy became their guide. They started with Saturday evening services in that donated classroom. By January 1994, Sunday services were being held in hotel conference rooms. Imagine the echoes of hymns bouncing off those walls! They finally found a permanent home, a storefront in northwest Austin, in April 1995. This “Northwest Mission” officially became “The Mission of St. John the Forerunner” in December 1996 under the watchful eye of their patron saint. Their journey led them from the storefront to a former Baptist church on Adelphi Lane in 1998. Each move marked not just a physical change, but the growth of a community. After Father Rhudy moved on in 2002, Father Aidan Wilcoxson took the helm. In 2003, they acquired a house on a generous 4.2 acres in Cedar Park. They held services wherever they could – a testament to their dedication – until the house was ready. By 2004, under Metropolitan Philip’s declaration, they were no longer just a mission, but a full-fledged parish. Their current facility, a testament to their dedication and growth, held its first service in January 2010. St. John the Forerunner Orthodox Church is a story of faith, perseverance and the unwavering spirit of community.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to