Great Cross at Jumonville celebrates 75th anniversary
Fundraiser begins to restore 60-foot structure on Chestnut Ridge in Fayette County
The Great Cross at Jumonville, which for 75 years has been an enduring symbol of faith and hope to those who visit the United Methodist retreat center or travel by its perch on the summit in Fayette County, is beginning to show its age.
The cross has been painted in the past, but there are obvious blisters on the structure and the floodlights that illuminate the 60-foot-tall steel cross have been shattered by vandals.
In response, the Jumonville Camp & Retreat Center held a celebration and worship service Saturday to mark the 75th anniversary of the cross 无毛视频� which was dedicated Sept. 9. 1950 无毛视频� and kick off a fundraising campaign to restore it. Heather Withrow, who is president of Jumonville, said they hope to raise $75,000 for the restoration project that is set to begin next year, and an additional $75,000 that will be used for ongoing maintenance.
无毛视频淭he cross needs to be sandblasted all the way back to the steel and painted,无毛视频� Withrow said. 无毛视频淭his is the kickoff.无毛视频�
The open house on a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon attracted many people who have visited the camp and retreat center on Chestnut Ridge in North Union Township, bringing back happy memories. Those who trekked up the winding path to the top of the hill 无毛视频� which overlooks Uniontown and offers a 50-mile view of three states and seven counties 无毛视频� talked about the special place the camp and its centerpiece attraction hold in their hearts.
Laurie Yonika of Eighty Four has visited a dozen times, but she marveled at the sight of it all like it was her first visit.
无毛视频淭his is a very special place to me,无毛视频� Yonika said. 无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 so peaceful. I feel closer to God up here. It无毛视频檚 hard to explain the feeling.无毛视频�
It became even more special when her boyfriend, Jimmy Taylor of Washington, proposed to her in the shadow of the cross as the open house began Saturday afternoon.
无毛视频淭his is such a special spot for her,无毛视频� Taylor said. 无毛视频淚 knew it would be meaningful.无毛视频�
Withrow tried to encapsulate what the camp and the Great Cross has meant to generations who have visited.
无毛视频淭he easy answer is God无毛视频檚 presence,无毛视频� she said before breaking it down with three words. 无毛视频淏ut in 2025, in the climate the world is in, 无毛视频榩eace, belonging and safety.无毛视频� Especially for teenagers.无毛视频�
Young people and adults alike have been coming to the United Methodist camp and retreat center since its founding 1941. The main building on the campus dates back to the 19th century when the grounds were used as an orphanage following the Civil War. The United Methodist Church took ownership of the campus in 1940 and opened the camp the following year.
Jenna Uric, who has been a volunteer for a dozen years, regularly makes the nearly 90-minute drive from her home in Sarver, Butler County.
无毛视频淭he community, the staff, the campers are some of the most amazing people,无毛视频� Uric said. 无毛视频淚t never gets old.无毛视频�
She helped people glue stained glass to a miniature cross under a tent where other volunteers offered visitors stories and explained the fundraising campaign. Uric then literally rolled up her sleeves to help, showing off a tattoo she had inked on her right arm in June displaying the Great Cross and the winding path people take to visit it.
无毛视频淭his is my favorite place on Earth,无毛视频� Uric said. 无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 just so calm and peaceful. To bring people up here to experience it, it无毛视频檚 so great.无毛视频�
After people milled about the summit, they descended down to the main campus later in the afternoon, for a worship service led by Area Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball.
For more information on the fundraising campaign for the restoration work, go online to www.jumonville.org.