Get to Know: Church of the Holy Cross, Poplar Bluff
"I love the Episcopal doctrine that everyone is welcome," said Steve Schneider. Steve is a lifelong Christian who was confirmed at the Church of the Holy Cross in Poplar Bluff by Bishop Deon Johnson on June 5, 2022. Steve and his wife Catherine began attending Holy Cross during the pandemic, when the congregation was meeting on Zoom. They fell in love with the liturgy and the people at Holy Cross.
"It's very family-oriented," said Catherine. "We feel so much a part of a family here."
And Catherine knows a thing or two about church family. She was born and raised Episcopalian. Her father served as the Dean at Christ Church Cathedral in New Orleans. Catherine and Steve have been married for 10 years and are now happy to be settled into this Southeast Missouri community.
Holy Cross is on the National Register as the oldest church in Poplar Bluff in continuous use by the same congregation. The oldest records from the parish come from the diary of Bishop Daniel Tuttle, who wrote he held worship services in Poplar Bluff on September 30, 1891. It was established as a mission in 1901 and held its first service in 1903.
The original church building was frame and cost $3,500 to build. It was encased in concrete stone face block around 1915. In 1999 an ambitious building project was undertaken to enlarge the church. The old parish hall was converted into a new worship space and a new kitchen, parish hall, nursery, choir room, two classrooms, a library and office spaces for the secretary and rector were also added. The first service was held in the new church on October 9, 2000.The original church was retained intact and is used as a chapel for Morning Prayer and special services. A columbarium was established in 1993.
Today this historic congregation places an emphasis on serving their community with the Reva Arnold Food Pantry, which is open every Wednesday afternoon. The food pantry receives donations and grants from the Episcopal Church of St. Michael & St. George in Clayton and the Diocesan Task Force on Hunger.
The parish's rich history is part of what keeps new members like Steve and Catherine Schneider coming to Holy Cross. "This gives me comfort that it's been here a long time and will continue to be here," Catherine said. "This is home."
Vital Stats:
Church name: The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross
Address: 420 N. Main Street
City: Poplar Bluff
Phone: (573) 785-1098
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.holycrosspb.org/
Worship Services: Sundays @ 9:30 a.m.
Clergy: The Rev. Paul Nancarro, Supply Priest
Members: 46
ASA: 19
(Numbers from 2020 Parochial Report)