Sanctuary Cross History

This is a Celtic cross with the usual circle surrounding its center. It is a wooden cross, gilded with gold, which was designed by Hugh Logan, one of our congregation members, as part of the 1953 renovation of the sanctuary.

Its unique design was sent to the Vatican to be carved from the wood of a Paulownia tree, which is native to Southeastern China. The leaves on these trees are heart-shaped and the timber is both light and exceptionally strong.

There are religious symbols carved on the cross:

In the center are the Greek letters X and P, chi and rho, which are at the beginning of ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ or “Christos,” which translates to “Christ” in English.

On the left arm are the Greek letters Α and Ω, Alpha and Omega, beginning and end.

On the top are the Greek letters INRI, which represents the Latin inscription IESVS NAZARENVS REX IVDÆORVM (Iēsus Nazarēnus, Rēx Iūdaeōrum), which in English translates to "Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews".

INRI is what Pontius Pilate had nailed to the head of the cross when Jesus Christ was crucified.

Below these letters is a carving of a lamb to symbolize the lamb of God.

On the right arm are the Greek letters, IHS, which are the first three letters of the Greek name of Jesus ΙΗΣΟΥΣ (Iota-Eta-Sigma-Omicron-Upsilon-Sigma).

On the bottom are carvings of fruit to symbolize the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.