The Celtic Cross

– a tribute to the long line of Irish Priests who have served

Holy Spirit Catholic Church

The Celtic Cross originally sat on top of the main entrance into the church building, directly above the Rose Window. Many priests who served at Holy Spirit Church have been of Irish ancestry and our community wanted to honor the tradition of their culture in the development of a new larger church building. Numerous requests were made to the Building Committee to save the Cross for use somewhere in the design of the new building. However, demolition contractors did not think it possible to remove the cross without destroying it, mainly due to the cross being too heavy to lift and safely sit down on the ground. However, the luck of the Irish was with our parish with the removal of the cross. The contractors harnessed the cross with ropes and strategically pulled the 7,500 pound limestone rock down onto a pre-set mound of soft dirt. The cross fell safely to the ground remaining in one piece and perfect in everyway.

 The Irish Catholics see the Celtic Cross as an emblem of the Celtic Christian Church dating back to when the Celts converted to Christianity. They believed the circle on the cross is a symbol of eternity that emphasizes the endlessness of God’s love.

Holy Spirit Catholic Church – built 1964-65

Celtic Cross atop the building

Rose Window and Celtic Cross

The limestone Celtic Cross weighs almost 7,500 pounds and measures 5 ft x 5 ft x 2 ft.

 The Celtic Cross is now located in the East Garden with the Memorial Shrine to the Unborn. We are thankful that the cross survived the demolition of old church building and it continues to stand as a testament to the diversity of our culture here at Holy Spirit.