Father Millet Cross facts for kids
The Father Millet Cross is a special memorial at Fort Niagara in Youngstown, New York. This tall, 18-foot (5.5 m) bronze cross replaced an older wooden one. The first cross was put up by Pierre Millet in 1688 at a French fort called Fort Denonville.
During a very tough winter, many soldiers at the fort got sick and starved. Only twelve out of a hundred survived! Father Millet, a Jesuit missionary, arrived with a rescue team. On Good Friday (April 16), he held a special church service called Mass. He then put up and dedicated the first cross. He asked God for mercy for the sick soldiers. The cross has a Latin message: "REGN. VINC. IMP. CHRS." This means "Christ reigns, conquers, and commands."
A New Memorial Cross
On September 5, 1925, Calvin Coolidge, who was the President of the United States, set aside a small piece of land at Fort Niagara. This land was for building a new cross. It was meant to remember the original cross Father Millet put up. This small area became the smallest national monument in the United States.
In 1926, a group called the New York State Knights of Columbus dedicated the new bronze cross. They wanted to honor Father Millet and other priests. These brave priests brought Christianity to new lands. They also hoped to create a "new France" in this new world. The cross stands by Lake Ontario, just west of the fort's north redoubt (a small fort or defense point).
From National Monument to State Park
The Father Millet Cross National Monument was first managed by the War Department. But in 1933, it was given to the National Park Service. This happened because of an order from the President.
In 1945, the U.S. Army decided Fort Niagara was no longer needed for military use. Plans were made to turn the area into a state park. On September 7, 1949, the U.S. Congress officially ended the national monument status. The memorial cross was then given to New York State. It became part of Fort Niagara State Park for everyone to visit and enjoy.
