Its Just a Cross

scott_vt · Nov 3, 2011

Good Afternoon Guys,
A few years back my church had a new altar installed and gave me some of the wood from the old altar...

The wood turned out to be quarter sawn white oak with some very nice ray pattern it it. Lat week I was looking at the boards that I had, and it dawned on me to make a cross out of some of it and give it back to the church as a gift...

I thought I would post some pics of it, it was allways really the churches wood, I just borrowed it for awhile !

Enjoy !

BTW, I believe the old altar dated back to late 1700's or early 1800's.....

jinman · Nov 3, 2011

Scotty, that's far more than "just a cross" you have there. I hope you attach some kind of note (perhaps under the base) to signify where the wood came from and the year you built and presented to the church. That's a very thoughtful use of that beautiful wood that should become an permanent icon in the church.

Back in 2001, I had a table desk from my dad's old insurance office that looked awful. It had some kind of reddish-brown stain on it that had turned black on the top and it even had some staples into the tabletop where someone had stapled some kind of chart onto it. It was a mess. On a whim, I decided to remove the stain and refinish the table. As I got the old finish off, I could not believe my eyes. Suddenly, the grain pattern showed up. I refinished the table and it proudly holds a prominent place in my living room. It will now be a family heirloom.

Bird · Nov 3, 2011

Scotty and Jim, you've both done some beautiful work with some very pretty wood. And Scotty, I agree with Jim that something permanent should be attached to that cross with the information he suggested.

toppop52 · Nov 3, 2011

scott_vt said:
Good Afternoon Guys,
A few years back my church had a new altar installed and gave me some of the wood from the old altar...

The wood turned out to be quarter sawn white oak with some very nice ray pattern it it. Lat week I was looking at the boards that I had, and it dawned on me to make a cross out of some of it and give it back to the church as a gift...

I thought I would post some pics of it, it was allways really the churches wood, I just borrowed it for awhile !

Enjoy !

BTW, I believe the old altar dated back to late 1700's or early 1800's.....

You were just given a personal reveal of God's beauty, hidden for years by man.

creekbend · Nov 3, 2011

It is evident that you are truly a skilled craftsman. I think it is a wonderful idea in regards to placing some type of plaque on the cross depicting date;etc., that others have suggested. Previously you stated the estimated age of the altar. Perhaps your "Gift Of Love" will last several more Centuries. Hopefully you will find the time to create other objects made from the remaining wood. Perhaps something for your Home that you can pass on to your Family members? You appear to be a kind man with outstanding character. Good job.

:thumbsup:

bullbreaker · Nov 3, 2011

Scotty-Jim ! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Very thoughtful of Ya's.

HEBREWS 12 : 2(KJV)

Boone

om21braz · Nov 4, 2011

It's hard to imagine how much really nice wood like that has been trashed over the years. A beautiful reminder made of reclaimed wood. May it remind us not only of beautiful craftsmanship and oak - but, of a man, Jesus and the price he paid for all.

Very nice work Scott and Jinman!

jimmyj · Nov 4, 2011

om21braz said:
It's hard to imagine how much really nice wood like that has been trashed over the years. A beautiful reminder made of reclaimed wood. May it remind us not only of beautiful craftsmanship and oak - but, of a man, Jesus and the price he paid for all.

Very nice work Scott and Jinman!

Couldn't have said it better. I love nice wood things.

WayneB · Nov 6, 2011

Scotty very nice work and so thoughtful.

Jim love the wood and finish on the keepsake.

Wayne

JB4310 · Nov 6, 2011

IF it's from a RC church the alter went through some interesting consecration and decommissioning rituals. Every RC alter has some sacred holy relic placed in it at the time of it's consecration, the oldest churches in Europe would fight over these rare relics, often bone fragments from actual saints.

Regardless of it's origin the cross looks great Scotty, but being on a base I think it will be easier to get shuffled around and eventually lost. I think it would be better hanging on a wall.

The cross is a powerful symbol, made out of an alter that had alot of prayers said over it. Make one for yourself too.

JB