Chapel of the Cross

(excerpt from Verna Barr)

Tucked away in the back corner of the park-like setting at Pioneer Town, discover a gem, the Chapel of the Cross.

A blue and copper printed leaflet, written by Don and Inez Petersen donors of the chapel, tells about its beginnings, "When we were traveling through the heavily wooded area of New Zealand, we happened upon a neat sign imprinted with the words, 'Chapel, Welcome'.  As we walked the winding pathway toward the chapel, we met the pastor who invited us to enter and said, "Stay awhile, worship, meditate and sing as long as you like.  After playing the organ and singing, we sat in the quiet sanctuary to meditate as we looked at the cross on the altar and out through the large windows that opened upon the beautiful forest. Enriched as we were by this privilege, we aspired to provide a place of inspiration such as this for other people."

Other information in that leaflet reads that...several years later, Maynard Nelson then president of the Surface Creek Historical Society, spoke with Don Petersen about the need for a chapel in Pioneer Town.  Here was the motivation that impelled the Petersen's to act.  In January of 1989, plans led them to a Boulder, Colorado architectural firm, Midyette and Scieroe. Eric Scieroe completed the final drafts.

Symbols of the Christian faith are featured throughout.  Entering the sanctuary, eyes are immediately drawn to the large cross in a self standing wall seen through the large windows to the south. The effect is intriguing, giving the appearance that the wall has been pushed out and is open to the out-of-doors. The cross has a slender stainless steel center which represents the perfection of Christ; the wood that surrounds it symbolizes the crude cross that man built in his attempt to destroy the most generous Gift of God.

The granite tablets on either side of the cross state the basic laws of God and his solution for man's failure to obey those laws.  On the tablets and on the pavement are symbolic roses.  These describe our Lord as the Rose of Sharon, beauty without equal.

Christ the Good Shepherd and the sheep are depicted on the stained glass windows.  A dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Inside, inscribed on the communion table are words of the Lord, "This do unto me." For a Christian, this is a reminder to gather in remembrance of the Lord's death on the cross where His body was broken and His blood shed.

All of the features of the chapel's structure point upwards, to the heavens.  It is a place for the use of those individuals whose faith is founded on the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. The wood trim of the interior is maple, Tiffany's of Montrose created the stained glass panels of the Christ, lambs and the Dove.  The heart of the cross was formed at the Adobe Blacksmith Shop, at the tune located in Eckert.  That company also formed the architectural brackets that support the inside chapel ceiling trusses. Russell Main of Cedaredge crafted the communion table.

Contractor Maynard Nelson, foreman Steve Baird, Blake Davey, Todd Davey, Joseph Waller and J. Haptonstall combined their skills to complete this unique chapel. Copper tooled in Aspen, Colorado provides a lasting roof for this lovely chapel, the Chapel of the Cross.

The state-of-the art three manual model of the Allen organ is the same as that installed in the largest church in the world located on the Gold Coast of Africa.

The chapel's dedication was held November 25, 1989, Don and Inez Petersen had long been contributors to the musical department at Mesa State and through contacts there scheduled many outstanding artists for the Summer Concert series.  Local and out-of-town vocalists and musicians have added their special talented performances to a long list of programs given here over the years.  A Chapel Committee schedules summer concerts and other programs. Weddings are planned through a Wedding Coordinator.  Religious services and memorials have also been performed here. Large albums contain photos of almost all of the wedding couples who have married here.

In 1990 the building won first place award from Wood Organization of Denver Inc. and the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

A plaque on a stone near the entrance reads, "Built to glorify God - and create a place for you to worship - to meet Him - and praise his name."

PIONEER TOWN HISTORY

Welcome Center

300 man hours were used to hand craft the model of Pioneer Town in the Welcome Center. Scale of 1 inch = 10 feet (1”=10’) As Pioneer Town grows so does the display.