Serra Cross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Serra Cross |
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Serra Cross with Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands in background, April 2018
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1782 |
| Owner | Serra Cross Conservancy |
The Serra Cross, also known as the Cross on the Hill, is a large Christian cross located in Ventura, California. It stands on a hill called "La Loma de la Cruz," which means "The Hill of the Cross."
This special spot is part of Serra Cross Park. This park is one acre big and is inside the larger Grant Park. From here, you can see amazing views of downtown Ventura, the Santa Barbara Channel, and nearby islands like Anacapa and Santa Cruz Island.
People believe the first cross was put here in 1782. This was when the Mission San Buenaventura was founded. The cross has been replaced many times over the years. It is a very old and important landmark in Ventura.
In 2003, there was a discussion about the city paying to keep a religious symbol on public land. To solve this, the city sold the one-acre site to a private group. This group is now called the Serra Cross Conservancy. They take care of the cross and the park today.
Contents
History of the Serra Cross
Building the First Cross
The Mission San Buenaventura was started by Junípero Serra on March 30, 1782. Some stories say that putting up a cross on a high, visible spot was the very first thing the Mission Fathers did. They wanted it to be a guide for people coming to the Mission by land or sea.
According to these stories, Father Serra himself put up and blessed this first cross. The hill was then named "La Loma de la Cruz." People often say the cross was built even before the Mission itself.
However, not everyone agrees with this story. A historian named Father Zephyrin Engelhardt wrote in 1930 that Father Serra likely did not climb the hill to put up the cross. He said Father Serra would have placed a cross where the church altar would be, as was the custom. There is no official record of him putting a cross on the hill. So, exactly when the first cross appeared on the hill is still a bit of a mystery.
Later Crosses and Rebuilding Efforts
The first cross eventually fell apart, probably in the early 1860s. Soon after, Father John Campala, who was the priest at Mission San Buenaventura, helped rebuild it. This second cross was blown down in a big windstorm on November 2, 1875. A local newspaper noted that the cross had always been replaced whenever it fell.
For over 35 years after the 1875 storm, there was no cross on the hill. A young girl named Ventura de Arnaz found the top part of the fallen cross, which had the letters "INRI" on it. She kept it as a souvenir. This piece is now a treasured item at The Museum of Ventura County.
The 1912 Community Cross
In 1912, many people in Ventura wanted to rebuild the cross. Leaders like Myrtle Francis and Alice Bartlett helped organize the effort. They even cut down Jeffrey pine trees from a canyon to get the wood for the new cross. Local builders helped prepare the wood and design the base for the cross.
On September 9, 1912, a new 26-foot cross was put up. It was a huge community event! The dedication ceremony included a band and many speeches. The local newspaper said it was one of the biggest gatherings the town had ever seen.
The celebration started at the Mission with the ringing of old bells. A parade marched up the hill, led by Francisco Camarillo and a band. Many groups joined, including members of local clubs, pioneers, city officials, and schoolchildren. Thousands of people gathered to watch the cross being raised. Franciscan priests blessed the cross, and children sang. A famous poet, John S. McGroarty, even read a poem he wrote about the cross.
After this, people in Ventura started a tradition of walking up to the cross for an Easter sunrise service every year. In 1932, the cross was lit up for the first time, making a striking red outline on the hillside at night.
The Fourth Cross in 1941
In 1941, the cross was replaced again by the Alice M. Bartlett Club. In 1966, it was placed on a platform and lit with fluorescent lights. In 1974, the cross site became one of Ventura's first City Historic Landmarks.
Legal Discussions About the Cross
Starting in the 1990s, some people wondered if it was right for the city to pay for a Christian cross on public land. Other similar crosses in California had faced legal challenges.
In 2003, a group called Americans United for Separation of Church and State, along with some Ventura residents, challenged the city. They argued that using public money to maintain a religious symbol on city land was not allowed. The city attorney said the Serra Cross was more than just a religious symbol; it was a historic landmark.
This discussion was a big topic in local newspapers that spring and summer. Many people supported keeping the cross. Church members held prayer vigils, and a group called Bikers for Christ held a rally.
To avoid a long and expensive court battle, the city decided to make a deal in August 2003. The city agreed to sell the cross and the one-acre piece of land it stood on. They also agreed to change the lighting to be less bright. This way, the cross would be on private land, not city land.
The Serra Cross Conservancy Takes Over
In September 2003, a non-profit group called San Buenaventura Heritage bought the cross and the land for over $100,000. They were the highest bidder in an auction. The group said the cross would stay, and they saw it as a symbol of Ventura's history.
A new group, the Serra Cross Conservancy, was then formed to take care of the property. This group now maintains the site as a public park, known as Father Serra Park. The Conservancy believes in preserving the park for its history and as a landmark for visitors. Many long-time Ventura residents feel the cross is a special part of their community.
Serra Cross Park is famous for its amazing views of Ventura, the Santa Barbara Channel, and the nearby islands. The Conservancy also rents out the location for events like weddings.
In December 2017, there were rumors that the Serra Cross was destroyed in the Thomas Fire. Luckily, the cross was safe, even though parts of the park around it were burned.
See also
