[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1133-E1134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE CROSS IN THE WOODS

                                 ______


                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 20, 1996

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, and Members of the U.S. House of 
Representatives, it is an honor for me to bring to the attention of 
this body and the Nation the 50th anniversary of the founding of Cross 
in the Woods being celebrated on June 23, 1996. The Cross in the Woods 
is the largest crucifix in the world and is located in Indian River, 
MI. Made of bronze and redwood and weighing 14 tons, it stands 55 feet 
high and is 22 feet wide.
  The idea for Cross in the Woods began in 1946 when Rev. Charles 
Brophy, a young priest from Cheboygan County, succeeded in having State 
officials transfer to Cheboygan County the 13 acres of Burt Lake on 
which the cross now stands. Once obtained by the county, Reverend 
Brophy purchased the site from the county for $1.
  In 1954, the cross was raised and sculptor Marshall Fredericks began 
his work of designing and sculpting the crucifix. This is unique to 
most crucifixes in that it depicts Jesus Christ without a crown of 
thorns and missing the wound to his side. It was the intention of Mr. 
Fredericks to have a crucifix showing that Jesus Christ was at peace 
with his beliefs and the sacrifice he made by dying on the cross.
  Over 200,000 citizens from across the country visit the cross 
annually. In addition, the current pastor at the cross, Rev. Donard 
Paulus maintains a mailing list of over 20,000 people who receive 
regular newsletters keeping interested parties informed of ongoing 
events.
  Also located on the grounds is a chapel where services are held 
weekly that regularly attract a capacity number of parishioners and 
visitors. Plans are underway for the construction of a church that 
would provide a view of the cross and other statues located on the 
grounds.
  Mr. Speaker, the Cross in the Woods reminds us that God's ways are 
opposite of our own human ways. As the cross was a symbol of death in 
the Roman Empire, it is now a symbol of victory in our faith. For it is 
said in Romans 8:38-39:

``For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor 
principalities, nor things present

[[Page E1134]]

nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything 
else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God 
in Christ Jesus our Lord.''

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