World Trade Center Cross Baptismal Font - 2006
The cross is a gift from the New York City Fire Department to the Walnut Hills United Methodist Church. Martha Schut, wife of our senior minister Doug Peters, is a long-time friend of Chris Ranck, a New York psychotherapist who has worked closely with members of the NYC Fire Department as they grieve the deaths of many of their colleagues and loved ones. Firefigher Jonathan Ielpi was killed as he tried to rescue others following the attacks. Jonathan’s father Lee, a retired firefighter, worked with Chris to arrange for us to have this cross in memory of Jonathan. It was cut from the beam by Carl Scheetz, another firefighter.
In 2006 Des Moines Artist Ted Lyddon Hatten incorporated the cross into a baptismal font. There are currently only two other World Trade Center Crosses of similar sizes anywhere in the world. One is housed at Engine 62 in Bronx, NY and a third was cut for display at the Vatican in Rome.
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