It is a fitting addition to any church or churchyard, retreat center, school of Christian origin, or in the landscape of your home.
History
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/castiron.htm.
| 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. |
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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.
Your Saint John's Cross
Your cast iron Saint John's Cross is available in two versions: double faced for freestanding use and single faced for wall mounting. The double-sided version stands slightly over 65 inches in height (166 cm) with cross arms measuring 31 inches wide (79 cm) by 3 inches thick (7.6 cm). The free standing double faced version has identical three dimensional detailing on both sides, modeled after photographs of the original at Iona Abbey, Scotland. The freestanding version weighs approximately 425 pounds (937 kg).
The wall mount single sided version and is also 3 inches (7.6 cm) thick. This Saint John's Cross is the same height and width as our double faced version and weighs approximately 345 pounds (kg). It has detailing on the visible side only.
A Note on Finishes and Rust - (Please see order form for pricing).
Among the options for finishing are:
1) Natural grey cast iron - no finish or protection. This finish, or more correctly lack thereof, will rust when exposed to moisture, and may or may not have some rust upon arrival at its destination. This light rusting, which is unstable, may stain clothing or stone or just about any surface.
2) Natural grey cast iron finish with an epoxy clear coat - This option preserves the natural beauty of the grey cast iron under a tough clear coat of epoxy.
3) Pre-rusted finish - With this option, we accelerate natural weathering which would normally take many years to a several months process at our foundry. The result is a relatively stable, stunning finish, which requires no care. We accelerate the rusting process beyond the point where rust will ordinarily rub off or stain clothing or mounting blocks.
Please note: The accelerated rusting will not continue after your cross leaves our foundry. Rust on Saint John's Cross, whether natural or by the foundry, will stabilize and one will never lose the detail of the carved work unlike the stone originals at Iona. Think of old farm equipment, cast iron fences, or cast iron bells - the rusting actually forms a patina which bars further deterioration.
4) Faux sandstone - Closely matching the color of the existing displayed Saint John's Cross at Iona Abbey, this finish employs a historically correct American technique of treating cast iron to look like stone. The process involves priming and painting the cross, then wet painting it and application of very fine sand, followed by an enamel topcoat.
Other more typical finishes are white or black, oil based enamel paint over an industrial metal primer.
Custom colors and finishes are also available. Please inquire.
A Note on Mountings
The double sided, free standing Saint Johns Cross is provided with two 5/8" diameter tapped, threaded holes in the base for mounting with two grade 5 or 8 only bolts.
The single faced wall mount cross is provided with a metal wall template for mounting hanging clips, which we provide already attached. Once the wall clips are securely attached (consult an engineer or contractor) the wall mount Saint John's Cross merely hangs by its own weight, much like pictures on picture hooks. The hanging clips also provide for security bolting so Saint John's Cross may not be accidentally dislodged.
Stone Bases (See order form for pricing.)
We offer a choice of two bases for the double-faced freestanding version of Saint Johns Cross.
Both are 36 (91.4 cm) x 480 (121.9 cm) x 60 (15.2 cm) thick and are cut from salt and pepper granite, which is quarried for us in New England, U.S.A.
Each block of granite weighs approximately 1,040 pounds (2,293 kg). Each base is large enough to prevent tipping the cross by vandals and in combination with the cross; the total weight of approximately 1,465 pounds (3,230 kg) virtually eliminates theft.
Each granite block has room for one or multiple appropriate plaques.
The six-inch (15.2 cm) edges are snapped, not sawn, which lends a rugged characteristic to the understated granite.
The top surface is available in a relatively smooth texture (similar texture to beach sand) or a highly polished top surface.
Other stone and finish options are available, please make an inquiry.
Memorial Plaques in bronze, aluminum and other materials are also available through Architectural Iron Company. Please supply us with text size and material in order to obtain a quote.
Shipping and Setup and Installation:
Shipping is included on all orders within a 100-mile radius of our foundry in Milford, PA. This includes large parts of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut and all of the New York Metropolitan area. Shipping is by truck freight to other areas within the continental United States.
Setup instructions are included with all orders. Please note that if you elect to use our granite base, a concrete foundation is typically not required.
We can provide installation anywhere in the United States at additional charge. Please call for more information.
For more information:
Architectural Iron Company
104 Ironwood Court - PO Box 126
Milford, PA 18337-0126
Web Home Page: http://www.architecturaliron.com
Toll Free:
800-442-IRON/4766
Fax: 570-296-IRON/4766
E-mail: sales@architecturaliron.com