The historical significance of Saint John's Cross is well documented in Christianity. The original Saint John's Cross is preserved at the Abbey Museum at Iona Abbey, Scotland.

Iona Abbey is now maintained by the Friends of Historic Scotland and further information on all their properties and publications, including the excellent Iona Abbey and Nunnery may be found at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk.

The history of cast iron gravemakers in the United Kingdom and Australia is less well known, but has been documented at www.churchmousewebsite.co.uk

The first cast iron Saint John's Cross cast by Architectural Iron Company, pictures of which are shown on this website, was conceived by the Reverend Donald A. Hostetter in recognition of three generations of Presbyterian ministers - his father, himself, and one of his sons - all deeply involved in and committed to Presbyterian camping.

At the dedication: The Reverend Peter Surgenon executive director of the Presbyterian Center , Holmes, New York, speaks at the July 27 th, 2002 dedication of the first cast iron Saint John's Cross. The Reverend Donald Hostetter, who conceived of the cast iron cross, is shown seated at right.

A substantial portion of the proceeds of the sale of each Saint John's Cross is donated to the Presbyterian Center in Holmes, New York, United States in memory of the late Charlotte M. Hostetter, past Director of Christian Education at Riverdale Presbyterian Church, Riverdale, New York. For more information on the Presbyterian Center, please visit www.presbyteriancenter.org.

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