Gary Schwartz, left, Genevieve Cardiff and Willow Dunbar carry the cross through the main streets of Callery during the annual cross walk on Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

CALLERY — A vibrant spring day provided an appropriate backdrop for community members to reflect on the significance of Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

More than two dozen people gathered at Crestview Community Church on Friday, April 18, before they took turns carrying a wooden cross around the streets of Callery, pausing several times to pray and sing in recognition of the sacrifices of Jesus Christ.

“On a beautiful day, good or bad, we are reminded that the true beauty of it is Christ and God’s gift of love to us that we see through Jesus and the cross,” said Brandon Johns, the pastor at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Evans City.

The tradition, which is typically held in Evans City but rotates every fourth year to Callery, symbolizes the written accounts of Jesus Christ carrying a cross to his own crucifixion, which was a common Roman execution method.

According to the pastors of St. Peter’s, St. John’s United Church of Christ, Westminster Presbyterian Church and Crestview Community Church, it’s been a meaningful tribute for people of all ages for more than 80 years within the local community.

“We do it to proclaim the good news on this Easter weekend,” said Trish Miller, a member of the Crestview Community Church. “Obviously, with the nice weather, it just makes it extra welcoming.”

Dan Flint, left, Mackenzie Johns, Carter Johns and Lily Johns carry the cross through the main streets of Callery during the annual cross walk on Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

“I think it means that I’m connecting to Jesus in a different way,” said Kate Johns, 7, about the importance of the event. “I get to be with all of the community, and we come out every year because it’s really important.”

As the group made their way through the streets, they made several stops at the Callery’s Post Office, Volunteer Fire Department and Veteran’s Memorial. After the walk was over, they made their way back to the church’s pavilion for a worship service.

“I think the people who live in the community, if they don’t know what it’s all about, it gives them an awareness that ‘Hey, today’s Good Friday, and Sunday’s Easter,” said pastor and Mars Mayor Gregg Hartung. “Christians are witnesses to our community through being present, not thrusting it upon anyone, but just showing us walking around town and saying prayers and singing songs that help us live out our faith.”

It’s also a quality reminder of the blessings of Easter and what it means to Christians all over the world who celebrate the holiday.

“There’s a lot of secular reasons for Easter,” said pastor Lauren Bosserman. “There’s Easter egg hunts, and there’s the bunny and that’s fine, but we come out for the reason that this holiday exists.

“It’s because of a very great and wondrous sacrifice and also a marvelous miracle that we cannot understand, but it helps us, I think, to celebrate much more deeply the meaning of Easter.”

Attendees of the annual cross walk stop to pray and sing songs along the main streets of Callery on Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Heather Yesko, left, and Trish Miller carry the cross through the main streets of Callery during the annual cross walk on Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Genevieve Cardiff, left, and Willow Dunbar carry the cross through the main streets of Callery during the annual cross walk on Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Gary Schwartz carries the cross through the main streets of Callery during the annual cross walk on Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Gerry Dudra carries the cross through the main streets of Callery during the annual cross walk on Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Heather Yesko, left, Trish Miller and Carter Johns carry the cross through the main streets of Callery during the annual cross walk on Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Gary Schwartz carries the cross through the main streets of Callery during the annual cross walk on Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Willow Dunbar, left, and Genevieve Cardiff carry the cross through the main streets of Callery during the annual cross walk on Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Heather Yesko carries a cross past the Callery Volunteer Fire Company station during the annual cross walk on Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Attendees of the annual cross walk stop to pray and sing songs along the main streets of Callery on Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Attendees of the annual cross walk stop to pray and sing songs outside the Callery Post Office along the main streets of Callery on Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Attendees of the annual cross walk have a worship service at the pavilion outside Crestview Community Church in Callery on Good Friday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips