LandMarks: Cross of Inspiration
The Cross of Inspiration stands at the highest point of Greenwood Memorial Terrace above Government Way on Spokane’s western edge – a visible symbol that can been seen for miles.
This Sunday, as has happened every Easter since the white concrete cross was erected at its vista point in 1961, an interdenominational sunrise service will be held at the site, sponsored by the Spokane Interfaith Council. In fact, this is believed to be the 60th anniversary that the Council and its predecessor organizations have held a sunrise Easter service at a location in Spokane.
In addition to the Easter service at the Cross of Inspiration, a variety of events – including funeral and memorial services and an annual Memorial Day weekend brass band concert – take place at the site.
The 63-foot-tall pre-stressed concrete and steel cross with a cross-arm span of 20 feet weighs 12 tons and is lighted at night, making an impressive statement on the top terrace of the cemetery.
“It was put there to be a landmark, to be seen from everywhere and to be inspirational,” said Duane Broyles, president of the Fairmount Memorial Association, a consortium of five cemeteries in Spokane.
At 5 a.m. this Sunday, Greenwood’s grounds crew will begin setting up chairs and a sound system and putting out Easter lilies. Over the next hour, people will begin arriving dressed for the pre-dawn weather, likely to be chilly since Easter comes exceptionally early this year.
Typically, there will be no Easter bonnets or springtime dresses – it’s not that kind of experience – but rather warm hats and coats will predominate, and many worshippers will warm their hands with steaming go-cups of coffee. Many hundreds of people will gather, and then as the sun begins to come up, the Easter sunrise service will begin.
Each year, a different denomination takes the lead in conducting the service. The Rev. Joyce O’Connor-McGee of Manito United Methodist Church will officiate this Sunday. The choir from her church will sing, and the call to worship will be led by a bagpiper. One year, a Quaker group provided music, a gospel choir another year. And there was a salmon feed another time.
For Christians, it is about the celebration of Easter,” which did come originally at a cemetery, after all,” O’Connor-McGee said. “If the sunrise is just right, the reflection off the cross is just dazzling.”
As is the view of downtown Spokane in the distance, seen trough a break in the trees behind the cross.
Joseph Urlacher, secretary of the Interfaith Council, and his wife Marcia Hosch-Urlacher, find additional inspiration there.
“The long shadow from the cross when the sun first comes up, points right to where Marcia’s parents are buried – Inez and Kermit Hosch. He owned Davis & Hosch music store in Spokane and she played violin for the Spokane Symphony for 25 years,” Urlacher said.
It is a landmark for secular as well as sacred observances that stands amidst the many memorials to Spokane residents of years gone by.