Raising of the Great Cross at St. Mark's-in-the-Valley in Los Olivos, California
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
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ST. MARK'S-IN-THE-VALLEY RECEIVES A WONDERFUL GIFT
A Sign of Hope in a Challenging Season
The brothers of Mount Calvary monastery, part of the Episcopal Order of the Holy Cross, based in West Park, New York, have given St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley an unexpected gift, a sign of hope in this very challenging season. We can think of it as an early Christmas gift.
As the brothers close their Santa Barbara monastery after decades of work in this area, they are giving the parish their Great Cross, commissioned by Amy du Pont, of the prominent American family, for their original monastery on Gibraltar Road. The masterwork of metal artist Gunnar Thielst who received the commission in 1947, it was erected and dedicated in 1949. The iron-work was conceived to be airy, letting air and light pass through it, and is adorned with bronze symbols of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
A focal-point of the much-beloved monastery on Gibraltar Road that attracted visitors from around the world as well as locally, the Great Cross was the only surviving artifact after the monastery and all of its contents were obliterated by the Tea Fire in November, 2015. It was the only item moved to the current monastery, the former St. Mary’s Retreat House convent of the Episcopal Sisters of the Nativity, who sold their property to the brothers when they were in need of a new home.
The brothers have been especially close to The Rev. Michael Corrigan through the years as well as to various members and clergy at St. Mark’s. Rev. Michael made the connection with St. Mark’s as the brothers expressed their concern about where the cross would go. The Vestry discussed the gift at length and formally accepted the brothers’ generosity at the November Vestry meeting. In the Vestry’s letter accepting the gift they wrote about their recognition of “how the cross expresses the many years of ministry of Mount Calvary and the Order of the Holy Cross in Santa Barbara County and throughout the west as people came to you for guidance, for respite, for restoration. Additionally, they noted that it “expresses the ministry of artists that the parish attempts to nurture in various ways, so we will invite the artist's sons to be part of a re-dedication and celebration at an appropriate time - and will keep in touch with them.” Artist Gunnar Thielst’s sons live in the Santa Barbara area.
The brothers have expressed their gratitude and happiness that the cross will be at St. Mark’s and enjoyed by the many visitors to our campus. The Superior of the Order of the Holy Cross, Brother Robert James Magliula, OHC wrote: “For us it symbolizes our 75 years in Santa Barbara County and an our even longer ministry in the Western states. Who knows what the future may hold? We may yet return.”
Members of the parish and families connected to the Memorial Garden are invited to participate in supporting the moderate expenses associated with moving the cross and constructing its new base. Rev. Michael has pledged to pay for half of the cost (approximately $7,000 overall). It will stand at the far end of the Memorial Garden, at the apex of the triangular space, beneath the very tall oak and deodar cedar trees. The base will be built and the cross erected by late December or early January.
Dan Hemming, a very good friend of St. Mark’s, worked with the brothers, Rev. Michael and co-workers to bring the cross to our campus and will complete the work on the new base and installation. Local architect and good friend of St. Mark's, Evans Jones, is assisting in designing and creating specifications for the base. Angie Janes, an active member of St. Mark's who works with Evans is also helping.
A Sign of Hope in a Challenging Season
The brothers of Mount Calvary monastery, part of the Episcopal Order of the Holy Cross, based in West Park, New York, have given St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley an unexpected gift, a sign of hope in this very challenging season. We can think of it as an early Christmas gift.
As the brothers close their Santa Barbara monastery after decades of work in this area, they are giving the parish their Great Cross, commissioned by Amy du Pont, of the prominent American family, for their original monastery on Gibraltar Road. The masterwork of metal artist Gunnar Thielst who received the commission in 1947, it was erected and dedicated in 1949. The iron-work was conceived to be airy, letting air and light pass through it, and is adorned with bronze symbols of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
A focal-point of the much-beloved monastery on Gibraltar Road that attracted visitors from around the world as well as locally, the Great Cross was the only surviving artifact after the monastery and all of its contents were obliterated by the Tea Fire in November, 2015. It was the only item moved to the current monastery, the former St. Mary’s Retreat House convent of the Episcopal Sisters of the Nativity, who sold their property to the brothers when they were in need of a new home.
The brothers have been especially close to The Rev. Michael Corrigan through the years as well as to various members and clergy at St. Mark’s. Rev. Michael made the connection with St. Mark’s as the brothers expressed their concern about where the cross would go. The Vestry discussed the gift at length and formally accepted the brothers’ generosity at the November Vestry meeting. In the Vestry’s letter accepting the gift they wrote about their recognition of “how the cross expresses the many years of ministry of Mount Calvary and the Order of the Holy Cross in Santa Barbara County and throughout the west as people came to you for guidance, for respite, for restoration. Additionally, they noted that it “expresses the ministry of artists that the parish attempts to nurture in various ways, so we will invite the artist's sons to be part of a re-dedication and celebration at an appropriate time - and will keep in touch with them.” Artist Gunnar Thielst’s sons live in the Santa Barbara area.
The brothers have expressed their gratitude and happiness that the cross will be at St. Mark’s and enjoyed by the many visitors to our campus. The Superior of the Order of the Holy Cross, Brother Robert James Magliula, OHC wrote: “For us it symbolizes our 75 years in Santa Barbara County and an our even longer ministry in the Western states. Who knows what the future may hold? We may yet return.”
Members of the parish and families connected to the Memorial Garden are invited to participate in supporting the moderate expenses associated with moving the cross and constructing its new base. Rev. Michael has pledged to pay for half of the cost (approximately $7,000 overall). It will stand at the far end of the Memorial Garden, at the apex of the triangular space, beneath the very tall oak and deodar cedar trees. The base will be built and the cross erected by late December or early January.
Dan Hemming, a very good friend of St. Mark’s, worked with the brothers, Rev. Michael and co-workers to bring the cross to our campus and will complete the work on the new base and installation. Local architect and good friend of St. Mark's, Evans Jones, is assisting in designing and creating specifications for the base. Angie Janes, an active member of St. Mark's who works with Evans is also helping.
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Contact Us
Church & General Information: (805) 688-4454, [email protected] Interim Rector, Priest in Charge, Rev. Scott Claassen, S[email protected] Preschool Information: (805) 688-1815, Yvonne@smitv.org Visit Us
St. Mark's-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church & Preschool 2901 Nojoqui Avenue Los Olivos, California 93441 Mailing Address
St. Mark's-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church & Preschool PO Box 39 Los Olivos, California 93441 |
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