Road trip within a road trip

We have a Master craftsman in our group

and he doesn't mind sharing his talent with us
(our 'take-home' this year)

and with our Lakota brothers and sisters.

During our Mission trip last year,

he heard the Diocese of SD purchased an abandoned church building

from the Catholic church.

We were told this building was to serve as a Mission within a Mission;

there are no other churches around for MILES - 

which in South Dakota speak equals about 50 of these -

Keith copied and crafted a Niobrara cross

which was originally designed by Bishop Hare.

Certificates of Baptism and Confirmation meant nothing to Indian converts who could not read.  Bishop Hare desired to give to those who took upon themselves obligations as Christians some token that would not only mark them as communicants, but also serve as a constant reminder to them of their Christian calling.  

In 1874, he therefore designed a cross to serve this purpose.

The oval in the center is his episcopal seal. Around its margin in Latin is inscribed “The Seal of William Hobart Hare, by the grace of God Bishop of Niobrara.”  The Greek letters on the cross, which quarters the oval read, “That they may have life.”  

In each angle of the cross is a tipi surmounted by a small cross.  The seal signifies that Christ has come to the Dakotas and gathered them under the protection of the cross, that they have accepted him, and their homes have become Christian homes.

The 2014 version of the cross was driven out to the Priest in Charge last August
and hung at the church during 'Homecoming' ceremonies this past fall.

We drove up to Norris to see the cross -
and, hanging behind the altar in all its simplicity
 it's the perfect fit
for the space.

The church was sold to the Episcopal Diocese by the Roman Catholics 

"lock, stock and barrel" -
except before closing, they took out the bell in the bell tower
and sent it to one of their convents in another state.
Apparently, for them,
"lock, stock and barrel",
didn't translate to "lock, stock and bell".

 Letters have been exchanged;
tensions are rising
and the 'Controversy of the Bell' has not yet been resolved.

An ecclesiastical version of  the

 Hatfield's and McCoy's

It's good to remember that 'the church',
the gathered people of God,
 will always endure -
even if buildings and parts of buildings don't!