The most famous High Crosses are covered in sculpted relief panels that depict scenes from the Bible, scenes of Irish life and even some whimsical creatures among the knotwork.

What If?

THE PROTOTYPE:

When we returned, the whole idea of the High Cross kept mulling around in my heart and mind, and finally, I asked the family 'What if we made our own High Cross?' I could create the template, and design and create the sculpted panels from my research: in Ireland, online and from the books I purchased about the High Crosses. However, this was a huge project, creating something larger than anything I have done to this point and I would need help, mainly from my husband Robert and older son Colt.

THE SIZE:

The High Cross would need to be about 12 ft and 6 inches or a little taller, and I wanted to create it from high strength concrete to resemble the stone of the original High Crosses. I would need help in creating a true to size prototype in wood. This was going to be big and heavy. So we created it in 3 sections, like many of the stone HIgh Crosses had been done. Already, creating the true to size prototype paid off when we put the peices together in the wood before I applied the mud and paint. We were able to see that the arms needed to be adjusted in length and were able to do that prior to the next step of finishing the prototype.

In the above photo you can see the base, the shaft (which the menfolk are lifting) and the head - which is laying on the ground. I began by drawing out the schematics for the cross on large rolls of paper, then that was used as a pattern to cut the wood from. After each section was assembled in wood, (and adjustments made to the arms) then I applied two layers of sheetrock mud and painted it to resemble a stone finish.

By creating the prototype from wood in sections, we could place the High Cross in different areas and make sure that is where we would want it before beginning on the construction of the final High Cross. It takes at least four of the five of us to assemble the large sections.

On the prototype you can see my sketches for each panel that will be sculpted in the final High Cross. Our pastor saw the High Cross in process and we offered to let the prototype be used for our Irish themed VBS - I was graciously asked to do a presentation for the congregation about the history of the High Crosses and discuss some of the panels.

SPEAKING ABOUT THE HIGH CROSS (ARD CHROS)

So I created a powerpoint discussing the early Medieval Celtic style as found in the Book of Kells and examples of the panels on the High Crosses that inspired the panels I created. Here is one of my favorites!

THE RESURRECTION PANEL

This panel is from the High Cross at ClonMacnoise. It shows the Resurrection of Christ. Christ is wrapped in cloths at the bottom (with three crosses just to make sure you know it is Jesus) yet His face is not wrapped. The slab above Him represents the tomb. The bird peering down at Him represents the Holy Spirit. Also shown are the two guards sleeping and the coming Angels. The Irish sculptors crammed their figures into every space to tell the story. This was the pivotal moment right before Christ was resurrected. Truly a breathtaking drama unfolding in stone for the viewer. As many of the early Irish Christians were illiterate, these High Crosses were important visual Bibles for them.

My resurrection sketch is shown below. The style of the angels taken from angels found on High Crosses and the contemporary Book of Kells. I added the wavy lines as that was a common motif on High Crosses to show that the earthly and spiritual realms were interacting at that moment.

Yet High Crosses also had moments of life - hunting scenes (of which I will have one on the base) military processions and whimsical creatures from Gryphons to Cats! (and yes, I'll have both!) In this example of the flute player commonly found on HIgh Crosses and whom accompanies David playing the harp - you'll notice the cats at his feet with their legs tangled in knotwork.

So, I included a cat on the north side of my High Cross. A cat was valuable to the Irish - a good mouser worth 3-4 oxen! The cat is often seen somewhere on a High Cross.

THE NEXT STEP

We now have to dig down and cast a footing for the final High Cross, then Robert and Colt will weld the armature for the High Cross, we will then wrap it in metal mesh. In the meantime I will be sculpting each panel (over 65 panels!) including the knotwork panels for the ring, Robert will make molds of them so we can cast them all in high strength concrete. Then we will start building the final High Cross from the ground up!

A SACRED SPACE

Once completed, we will seal the entire High Cross with plans to landscape around it to replicate the wild Irish landscape, complete with ruins and stonewalls - creating a sacred space for contemplation and beauty in God's Creation. We see many animals up on the hill where this High Cross will be and look forward to seeing the sunrise with deer grazing nearby, birds perched on the top and squirrels scampering in the neighboring trees.