Stations of the Cross draws 1,000 in worship down Main Street

By Ian Swaby
| 12:15 p.m. April 3, 2026

Rev. Mason Waldhauser, associate rector for adult formation at Church of the Redeemer, leads the walk.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Early on the morning of Good Friday, Jayne Cobb was standing at Main Street with a group from Covenant Mennonite Fellowship.

However, they were just one of many denominations present for the Stations of the Cross walk. Cobb said the group likes to come out to be part of the event each year.

"I really enjoy being with people of different faiths anyway, and other Christians walking toward a single goal warms my heart," she said. She also noted the event's ethnic and gender balance of religious leaders.

The annual walk, held on Good Friday on Main Street, is part of a tradition that grew out of the processional route, the Via Dolorosa, in Jerusalem.

Participants stop at 14 stations, each representing a part of the story of Jesus’ crucifixion.

This year was the event's 30th anniversary, since it was started by Church of the Redeemer, while it also marks 25 years of the Sarasota Ministerial Association conducting it alongside the church.

The event regularly draws a turnout of about 1,000 people, and the Rev. Tom Pfaff, president of the Sarasota Ministerial Association, estimated that it had reached that mark again.

Attendee AJ Scheip said the chance to be part of an event involving many people was an opportunity for spiritual growth.

"We can receive grace, and we're able to build each other up, so I think that's the biggest thing for me is that I'm able to build myself up from other people," he said. "Iron sharpens iron, so when I find other people, that gives me more grace."

He said the No. 1 factor that drew him to the walk was the opportunity for "public witness," with the event taking place in a public setting outside local shops and restaurants.

"Of course, it's Good Friday," he said. "There's that religious side, but there's the freedom side, to be able to practice."

Rev. Mason Waldhauser, associate rector for adult formation at Church of the Redeemer, starts the walk alongside Pastor Mark Sedacca of the Sarasota Ministerial Association.

Maria Guardado-Villagran carries the weight of the cross with her.

Rev. Ruth Smalt, senior pastor of Siesta Key Chapel, speaks.

Deacon Humberto Alvia of St. Jude Catholic Church, speaks.

Jason Kubisiak and Willie Clemons walk at the front of the procession.

Timothy Abramov, Christiana Victor, Elyse Byler, Rose Prophete, Grace Prophete and Joy Prophete sing along to music led by Sara Wright (not pictured) at First Sarasota Church.

Church of the Redeemer youth group member Hudson Black speaks.

Church of the Redeemer youth group member Rorie McNash speaks.

Bryan Picazo and Michelle Roman listen to the ceremony at one of the stations.

Rev. Mason Waldhauser, associate rector for adult formation at Church of the Redeemer, walks with the cross.

Pastor Brett DeHart of First United Methodist Church of Sarasota addresses the crowd.

Danae Rubenzer and her granddaughter Ava Krcmar, 8, look at the program.

Donna and Paul Rutledge kneel at a station.

Judy Tremaine and Peggy Weiner walk on the route.

Rev. Charleston Wilson, rector of Church of the Redeemer, speaks at the church, the final station.

AJ Scheip, Jonathan Rameau and Gretha Rodriguez stand together after the walk.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.