Current Status
John Scott, the sculptor, has begun creating our Cross — see photos below. Site preparation has also begun.
To cover the costs of the monument, reflecting pool, donor wall, and installation, we need to collect $175,000, split among 500 sponsors. We have 292 sponsors so far.
sponsorship slots remain available.
Project Timeline
| Phase 1 | Conceptual design; site selection | Complete! |
| Phase 2 | Fundraising | Jan 2002 - now |
| Phase 3 | Monument construction | Feb 2004 - Mar 2005 |
| Phase 4 | Dedication | March 13, 2005 |
The Cross
Diane Shaw has generously forwarded photographs of the dedication ceremony, which took place on Sunday, March 13, 2005.
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Walter L. Pfeffer has generously forwarded photographs of the final installation of the Celtic Cross Memorial, which took place on Monday, March 7, 2005.
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Sculptor John Scott has forwarded an image of the head of the Cross. (Also available is the original mockup sketch).
The cross will stand 16.5 feet tall, and be mounted on a granite pedestal, for a total height of 18+ feet.
John has forwarded photos of the sculpting process (click thumbnails to see larger images):
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The Panels
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The Site
St. John, the Apostle and Evangelist Church is located at 15 Plaza Square in downtown St. Louis. (click for map) It was the first parish west of 11th Street, and is today the oldest Irish parish church in the city.
"Of the downtown churches that [are] still in existence that have a heavily Irish center, St. John's [is] the natural choice... " says Rev. Barnaby Faherty, historian and author.
The Celtic Cross will stand on the Plaza Square Concourse in front of the entry to the Church. The Cross will be surrounded by a reflecting pool with four fountains. At the edge of the concourse stands a low wall, upon which we will mount panels carved with the inscriptions submitted by our sponsors. (To contribute, click the Contribute button at the top of this page.)
Taken from Chestnut Street looking North. St. John's Church is on the right. The Cross will be installed approximately where the fountain and garden now sit. Along the left side of the image is a low wall, upon which we will hang granite slabs inscribed with the memorials and dedications of our sponsors. (Click thumbnail for larger image.)
Taken from behind the short stone wall, looking roughly Southeast across the plaza. The Cross will be centered in line with the middle stone arch at the entrance to the Church. (Click thumbnail for larger image.)
The Artist
Our Celtic High Cross has been commissioned from John W. Scott, owner of the High Cross Monument Company.