History of San Marino Community Church
The Mystery Cross

One event of lasting impact that First Christmas in 1941, did much to ease the worry about the temporary nature of those pre-Sanctuary days. It was the promise implied by new back-lighting arranged to highlight the newly arrived Indiana limestone two-ton sculpture, the Celtic Cross Monument.

This was the first showing of the replica of the ancient stone sculpture located on the Isle of Ione, of north Scotland, which had become the symbol of the Presbyterian Church. It's donors, the Douglas Wright family, arranged for the monument to stay lighted all night in the courtyard as a measure of time, until it could be placed on the west gable of the Sanctuary-to-be. Some thought it should live out its destiny as an enduring ground-level monument to accent the center the courtyard much as it had served for centuries in Scotland. But Doug Wright was still grieving over loss of the tall graceful steeple he had envisioned for the Sanctuary. He proposed the Celtic monument to add a sense of drama to the facade of the building. Also was known to cost the donors in excess of $25,000. The membership voted to approve the donor's choice for placement as an expression of gratitude for his gift to the church. It would remain lighted at night in the courtyard until the Sanctuary could be ready for a "Lift Up The Cross" ceremony to place it on the west gable.

Douglas Wright spoke on the significance of the 'Lift Up the Cross' ceremony planned to be held on completion of the Sanctuary and urged members to help make it happen soon!

The Celtic Cross in the forecourt of our present building is designed to be placed on the height of the front elevation of our Sanctuary. Jesus said about Himself, "If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me." And He does draw all men. In the symbolism of that great Christian truth, we have the unfinished task of lifting up the cross to its planned position, that as a constant reminder of Christ's love it draw men, women and youth to follow Him. Let us share in the lifting of the cross.

A Celtic Cross: The limestone cross, elegant in sculptural detail, was taken from the gabel after the 1971 earthquake and placed in the garden in front of the Sanctuary window instead of in Friendship Court as Dr. Baker had expected it to be. Sometime later it disappeared, all two tons of it, and a smaller, unfinished cast cement celtic-like cross was placed on the gabel.