HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
The Stations of the Cross artistically depict the final hours in the life of Jesus, from his conviction, carrying of the cross, to being laid in a tomb. The Stations of the Cross are commonly found in Roman Catholic Churches, as well as other Christian churches. The history of the panels placed within the St. Peter Parish are not known, however they are believed to be original to the parish, placed when the building was new.

FABRICATION
The panels are made of individual wood boards, laminated side by side. The tool marks indicate the relief images are hand carved. One inch cavities were drilled in to the back of each panel to create a recess for the hanging hardware to fit. A short steel bar is inset at the top of the cavity to provide adequate structural support for hanging. Two wood screws were used to hold the bar. Each panel includes a frame carved as part of the panel. The outer edges of the frames have been colored at some point, however it is unclear if this was done at the time of the panel’s making, or later. There is also evidence that a white pigment was rubbed on the surface, leaving pigment within the pores of the wood and in recesses in the carved images. II.

DESCRIPTION:
The 14 panels depict the Stations of the Cross pictorially. Each panel focuses on the image of Jesus and essential figures in the story. The panels are all numbered with Roman numerals carved within each image.