Stations of the Cross

by Rachael Taylor

Since antiquity, various rites have existed within the Church to prepare worshipers spiritually to share in the vulnerability and suffering of Christ’s final days. One such tradition found in denominations such as Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches is the Way of the Cross. Also known as the Stations of the Cross (Via Crucis), this rite depicts the final hours of Jesus and the devotions commemorating the Passion.

During the Middle Ages, it became popular for the wealthy to travel to the shrines of Peter and Paul in Rome or to journey to Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Many pilgrims, as an act of devotion, would walk the Via Dolorosa, the route taken by Jesus as he left Pilate on his journey toward Calvary. A yearning to replicate these holy places in other lands is seen quite early in history. During the fifth century, Petronius, Bishop of Bologna, built a group of connected chapels intended to represent the most sacred sites in Jerusalem. Thus, the monastery of San Stefano became familiarly known as “Hierusalem”. Although this is thought by some to be the seed from which the Stations later developed, nothing has been found indicating the Way of the Cross as recognized today existed prior to the fifteenth century. The Stations of the Cross were developed as a way to bring this pilgrimage into the local churches, so that all of the faithful could, in spirit, share in the experience.

The stations themselves are a series of pictures, engravings or carvings that portray pivotal events during Christ’s final hours, from his sentence of death to his body being placed in the tomb. The stations are arranged at intervals along the walls of a church or sometimes placed outside. Worshipers process from station to station, with specific prayers and devotions said at each. Although the number and names of the stations changed radically throughout history, the current list of fourteen is now almost universal. Commemoration of the Stations may be done at any time, but is most common during Lent, with Good Friday being a day of special emphasis.

St. Mary’s Stations of the Cross was commissioned by Logan Taylor as a gift to the community he so loved. Logan had long dreamt of providing the church with “something of substance and beauty that will be a blessing to all." In 2003, he set out to find someone who shared his vision. His fellow visionary was Larry Strickland, local artist and sculptor.

Drawing upon his artistic education and decades of professional experience, Strickland developed an original design that blended several textural elements in a way that proved to be visually impressive and spiritually provocative. Using wood planed from the black walnut tree that once stood sentry over the original church, he set to work. An immediate challenge presented itself. While the symbolic value of that particular wood was greatly appreciated, the wood itself was not “choice”. Some of the fourteen blocks to be used were little more than knotholes; others were riddled with discolored patches where disease had taken its toll. Larry devised a creative solution that added a new dimension to his design. By incorporating copper plating into each block, the scarred wood was covered and the pieces were given a richness as the copper plate became the sky - indigo, azure, cerulean and violet. Each carving is full of intricate details and distinctive Strickland touches. The faces of the Roman soldiers bear a marked resemblance to the Trojan mascot; the face of Christ mirrors the crucifix mounted in St. Mary’s Chapel of the Cross. After more than two years devoted to research, design, sculpting and painting, the project was complete. Framing the Stations was the crowning touch – Bev Smith’s donation of the frames was a most munificent gift and Ron Hendrix’s attention to detail made the frames a work of art in themselves.

The hard work and talent of Larry Strickland has produced fine art that will be treasured for generations to come. Our greatest gift, however, is the perpetual reminder of the true sacrifice Christ made for us, knowing full well what awaited him at the end of his sorrowful journey.

St. Mary’s has been blessed by the vision and dedication of Larry Strickland, the generous heart of Logan Taylor - whose memory remains to sustain and inspire us - and by his family, whose willingness to honor his legacy reinforces our belief that indeed “God gives us far more than we ever imagine and takes our wildest dreams and improves upon them.” Although Logan did not live to see his dream completed, he did see the proofs and pronounced them “FANTASTIC!”

Stations of the Cross

This is your chance to see a true work of art and a wonderful part of our worship. Larry Strickland's "Stations of the Cross" walks the way of the cross with our Lord and Savior. This work explores the passion of Jesus.

Photo Gallery