Following the closing of Trinity UMC, an auction was held at which the cross, an important part of history to surviving members of Trinity church, was purchased on March 8.

The retelling of history is a key factor in keeping precious memories alive, which is why surviving members of Trinity UMC spoke out regarding the creation of the cross.

In the 1960’s, Trinity United Methodist Church decided to expand its Sanctuary, however, a giant tree, originally thought to be a maple tree, stood in the way. The tree, at 64 inches in diameter and estimated to have been approximately 100 feet tall, was cut down.

Reverend Ralph Springman took it upon himself to craft, by hand, a beautiful cross that stood at 14 feet tall. The cross was hung in the new sanctuary of Trinity UMC, possibly in 1969.

Submitted photo
From the enormous tree, a cross was crafted by hand by Reverend Ralph Springman. The cross, 14 feet tall and 6 feet wide, is pictured hanging in the Trinity United Methodist Church sanctuary years ago.

The closing of Trinity Church was devastating for surviving original members.

“There is a lot of history in that church and during that auction we didn’t know what would happen to the cross,” explained surviving Trinity UMC member Sue Reigle. “Someone could have bought it to use as firewood.”

Reigle stated she and the other surviving members were thrilled to see the treasured cross placed in the hands of a new church.

The purchase of this cross from one church to another was an answer to prayers from both parties involved.

Pastor Ron Neff of Grace Covenant Church said he felt led by the Holy Spirit to purchase the cross.

“The longest serving elder at our church was a man named Larry Sheaffer, Sr. and he wanted to put a cross up several years before he went to Heaven,” explained Neff.

They had originally looked to purchase a large timber beam from a church that was closing, but unfortunately, were not able to secure the beam.

“When I saw that Trinity was having an auction and I saw that one of the auction items was the cross, I just really felt like the Holy Spirit said to me to remember Larry and his dream,” shared Neff.

Since in the possession of Grace Covenant Church, it has been decided the cross was made from an oak tree.

Pastor Neff found comfort in this as the Bible states in Isaiah 61:3 that “in their righteousness, (believers) will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”

Work has been done to protect the cross from the elements. There is hope to eventually add back lights to the cross to illuminate it.

On Good Friday, the beautiful, handcrafted cross was hung by Larry Sheaffer, Jr. on the outside of the church.