Sarasota Ministerial Association takes 1,000 people on Good Friday walk

Sarasotans walked the 14 stations of the cross on April 19.

  • By Amelia Hanks
  • | 8:08 a.m. April 19, 2019
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

About 1,000 people took part this morning in the annual Good Friday pilgrimage down Main Street, an Easter season staple for more than 40 years in Sarasota and organized since 2001 by the Sarasota Ministerial Association.

The Rev. Frederick Robinson said when he first came to Church of the Redeemer, the walk's original organizer, a turnout of 25 participants was considered good. On Friday, about 30 churches from around the area took part, said the Rev. Dr. Tom Pfaff, the president of the Sarasota Ministerial Association.

The walk started at Hollywood 11 theater near Washington Boulevard, making stops along the mile-long route to Church of the Redeemer at Palm Avenue. Participants honored the stations of the cross, representations of Christ's journey to crucifixion.

 

The walk amassed around 1,000 people.
The walk amassed around 1,000 people.
Rev. Dr. Tom Pfaff reads at the first station of the cross.
Rev. Dr. Tom Pfaff reads at the first station of the cross.
Rev. Frederick Robinson spoke a few words before the walk began.
Rev. Frederick Robinson spoke a few words before the walk began.
Christoph Stephenson-Moe carried the cross in front of the procession.
Christoph Stephenson-Moe carried the cross in front of the procession.
Christin Whacker and her dog, Piper, follow along with the crowd.
Christin Whacker and her dog, Piper, follow along with the crowd.
Atty Ordonez and Judy Mayo follow along in with the prayers while they walk.
Atty Ordonez and Judy Mayo follow along in with the prayers while they walk.
The early morning walk started around 7:30 a.m.
The early morning walk started around 7:30 a.m.
Ruth Jamioy and Dora Garzon read along with the prayers.
Ruth Jamioy and Dora Garzon read along with the prayers.
Jamie and Allison Lerario follow along in the book.
Jamie and Allison Lerario follow along in the book.
Cairo Rode got to read along in his own book.
Cairo Rode got to read along in his own book.
The entire walk took around one hour.
The entire walk took around one hour.
Maria Skorupski reads along.
Maria Skorupski reads along.
Barbara Kaberna records one of the stations on her phone.
Barbara Kaberna records one of the stations on her phone.
Harold Freeman and Sherri Vroom share a book during the sixth station.
Harold Freeman and Sherri Vroom share a book during the sixth station.
Charles and Marina Paraboschi bow to the cross during the service.
Charles and Marina Paraboschi bow to the cross during the service.

 

Latest News

Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content