More than 50 people walked through the streets of Gillett on Good Friday, carrying crosses large and small in keeping with the Christian faith as they recalled Jesus Christ’s crucifixion just prior to his resurrection three days later.
The event is part of the Gillett-Suring Clergy Association’s annual public display as they remember Christ’s sacrifice for the world’s sins and the glorious news when he came back to life. The faithful gathered at Gillett Secondary School, as usual, but with Main Street and adjacent sidewalks torn up for the state Highway 22 reconstruction project, they took the back roads, stopping off at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Gillett City Hall before ending the walk at St. John Lutheran Church.
Along the way, the faithful sang hymns, and pastors at each stop read from the Book of Matthew in the Bible, describing the final days of Christ’s life, from his arrival on Palm Sunday to the Last Supper, where he revealed that one of his 12 disciples would betray him, to his arrest and crucifixion.
Pastor Chris Byars of St. John Lutheran said that the cross walk has been a tradition in Gillett for more than 20 years, but he has only been a part of it for the last six years after moving to the community in October 2020.
“It’s a good reminder of Good Friday and what Christ did for us on the cross,” Byars said. “It’s a symbol to the community of our churches’ involvement. It’s a reminder that we are the Christian church and we are united, even though we have different denominations that participate. We all serve the same God, the same Christ.”
Byars noted the weather has been different every year he participated. As everyone gathered at the school, sleet started to fall, but halfway through the walk, the sun peeked out to light the way.
“We’ve had some cold years. We’ve had some nice and warm years,” Byars said. “Usually, a good group of us gather. It’s a way to involve the community with scriptures, pastor readings at various locations. Most years, we have pretty good attendance.”
The pandemic cancelled the official cross walk in 2020, but one parishioner from St. John Lutheran walked alone with a cross that Good Friday. Byars said it was important to keep “moving forward” with the tradition, even when obstacles appear on the path.
While most churches have Good Friday services, where Christ’s sacrifice is laid out through sermons and songs, Byars feels doing the cross walk gives a visual interpretation to people along the path in Gillett.
“I’d say it’s an addition. I wouldn’t say it’s over and above,” he said. “It’s something where it engages the people a little more for themselves, but both are just as important and have as great a meaning for all who in attendance. This is also just a very visual process, and to carry the cross — sometimes the kids carry them, and they figure out just how heavy those crosses can be with the walk.”
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
The cross walk continues April 3 along Main Street near Gillett City Hall as participants prepare to stop for a continued reading about Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. (Lee Pulaski | NEW Media)
Pastor Chris Byars, second from left, reads from the Book of Matthew about Jesus Christ’s path to death and resurrection while surrounded by crosses April 3 outside St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Reading scripture and singing hymns were part of the annual cross walk that has taken place for more than 20 years in Gillett. (Lee Pulaski | NEW Media)
