HomeMy WebLinkAboutBiographyThe Rev. Max Ignacio Salvador
Biography
When thousands of Cubans arrived in Florida in search of freedom in early 1960s, after
Castro began to suppress basic civil liberties, a young priest and pastor followed them:
the Rev. Max I. Salvador, son of an Episcopal priest and grandson of a Methodist
minister, with his wife Lourdes Forest and their three children Max E. Miguel and
Enrique E. Upon arrival to the United States, he immediately looked for the Episcopal
Church. Great was his surprise to find that there were no services in Spanish. Max and
12 other Episcopalians met for the first time on November 1, 1961 at the Church of the
Holy Cross. Since it was All Saints' Day the incipient congregation was named "Iglesia
Episcopal de Todos Los Santos".
Max, a man of vision and action, soon discovered that although cordially welcomed by
the members of the Holy Cross, the congregation needed a place of its own to develop a
broad ministry for the growing Spanish-speaking flock. With a small donation from the
diocese, the group was able to rent an abandoned warehouse in the heart of the Cuban
community on North West, 17th Avenue.
The members of the congregation worked day and night, cleaning and transforming the
area into an attractive place of worship. They immediately began providing food and
clothing, English classes and basic pastoral care to the community. They established the
Centro Episcopal Latino with the help of Church World Service and what was then
called the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief. When hundreds of Cubans were
arriving in need of pastoral care, support and friendly hand, Max was there to minister to
them with unconditional help. His church and his house became home for many. He
helped the refugees personally and was a vital advocate for assistance from the church,
the government and private institutions.
Max enterprise was humanitarian, pastoral and patriotic. Through the efforts of the
Centro and other church agencies, more than 10,000 families were relocated in different
parts of the United States. More than 200 young people were able to continue their
education and today are distinguished professionals and members of the community and
the clergy.
After a few years, the congregation outgrew the warehouse space and, with the help of
the United Thanks Offering and many members of the community, Max was able to
purchase an old Baptist church on the 1023 SW, 27th Avenue in "Little Havana". The
building which was in a precarious condition was remodeled by the congregation and
flourished moved to the new building in 1965. The Iglesia Episcopal de Todos Los
Santos continues serving as a beacon for the growing Hispanic Community in Miami.
Max soon became a well —known personality and a leader in civic and community
affairs. His contagious enthusiasm for the work of the church provided the inspiration
for many to expand Hispanic outreach in other parts of the country. His influence and
leadership on many commissions and committees were instrumental in helping to
address the needs of Hispanics in the Episcopal Church. He always reminded the
Episcopal leadership that Hispanic ministry in the United States (the third largest
Spanish-speaking country in the world) is the continuation of the missionary work
started in the 19th century in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico and other countries.
Max indefatigable and unfaltering dedication was exhibit in his commitment to local and
national organizations. The premise where the church was located served as the meeting
place for the members of Brigada 2506 just before their mission to the Bay of Pigs. His
efforts were paramount during the first years of founding of Sociedad Pro -Arte Grateli.
Lincoln -Marti school found in Max an enthusiastic collaboration who believes in the
power of education. His efforts reached also international dimension when the Costa
Rica House of Representative awarded him with a token of appreciation for his
commendable endeavors in assisting the poor children, a project of the Cuban Rotary
Club in Exile, which he ran jointly with Dr. Jose Vidana.
Max determination and imperishable resolve led him to found the first Spanish-speaking
Rotary Club in United Stated, the Miami -Granada Rotary Club which he was an active
member and president from 1986-1987. Furthermore, Max was a member and
President of the Comisi6n Nacional Hispana; Founder of the Asociacion de Ministros
Evangelicos en el Exilio: Member of the Comision Ecumenica de la Semana por la
Unidad Cristiana; Chaplain and Member of the American Board of Boy Scouts, South
District; Member of the Conferencia Nacional de Cristianos y Judios; Member of the
Comite Pro -Vida, Liga Contra el Cancer and many other civic and religious
organizations.
Max always will be remembered for his kindness, good humor, and willingness to serve
others, for his vision and optimism, for his love of freedom and justice and his
exceptional leadership and communication skills. He was among the best known clerics
in South Florida who added momentum to the ecumenical efforts along with Bishop
Agustin Roman, Monsignor Emilio Vallina, Rev. Marco Antonio Ramos and Rev.
Martin Andorra
After serving for 35 years as rector of Todos Los Santos in Miami, he retired in 1995.In
1997 he suffered a severe stroke that paralyzed him and left him incapacitated until his
eath in 2004. He was survived by his second wife Teresita Machado, his children, five
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.