Cross in Pickering to create hope and faith

PICKERING -- A new cross poised over Dunbarton-Fairport United Church in Pickering is missing something that many others have: nails.

"The emphasis has been placed on the rise rather than the torture," local sculptor Dorsey James tells the passersby who curiously ask where they are.

Mr. James was commissioned by Reverend Glen Brown to create a cross for the church, which was built in 1835 and has a steeple, but not a cross.

Mr. James chose to keep the feeling positive since the church sits in the centre of a neighbourhood and he wanted to create a notion of hope and faith.

"Sure, we know the torture did occur, but I wanted them to rise beyond that," he says.

The figure on the cross is asexual and racially non-descript.

"That's the kind of stuff that lends itself to contemplation," Rev. Brown says.

Veridian Corporation donated two cedar poles, Bosch and Dremel donated the supplies and Mr. James donated his time and skills. Rev. Brown only asked the sculptor to put the cross together, and was thrilled when Mr. James gave "the gift of carving.

"It was his idea to engrave it, his idea as to what the engraving would be," says Rev. Brown.

Where does Mr. James even start on such a detailed creation?

"It starts with a feeling," he says. "The feeling is the most important thing."

Mr. James decided to teach the youth in the congregation how to use the high-speed grinders, so they could teach the seniors in the community how to carve as well. It resulted in congregation members carving their names and the names of loved ones into the cross.

"The young people did a wonderful job of teaching the elderly how to carve," says Mr. James.

He began working on the piece late last year, to much curiosity from the locals as he worked on the long section out in front of the church. He was able to work on the smaller piece in his studio. Finally, the cross, 32 feet high and 11 feet wide, was erected on Easter Sunday in front of the church.

"Oh, I'm delighted with it," says Rev. Brown.

Mr. James will be formally thanked at the church this Sunday.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of the experience for Mr. James was teaching the youth, something he does on a regular basis; he's currently working with students at Oshawa Central Collegiate Institute.

The world is getting faster and faster, the artist says, and although technology has a significant place, it's important to teach kids to go beyond instant gratification, not only with art, but in life in general.

"A lot of things in life take time," he says. "You've got to put time and effort into it."

The cross marks the beginning of the church's future Contemplation Garden. A pathway, shrubs, benches and more are planned to help create an "oasis," hopefully this season.