Commissioned to Build a 7-Foot Cross

First, I needed to figure out what size Douglas fir I wanted to use.

My original idea was to build it using 4x4s, but after thinking about it, I realized that 4x6s would probably be more aesthetically pleasing to the eye. A little more substantial, especially for something that would be standing 7 feet tall.

So off to my local Home Depot I went.

I purchased two 8-foot Douglas fir 4x6s and brought them home.

Using my miter saw, I cut the first 8-footer down to 7 feet. That would be my vertical beam.

The second piece I cut down to 3½ feet, exactly half the height of the cross. That would become the horizontal beam.

Pretty straightforward so far, right?

Well, now came the interesting part.

This is where the fun really started.

I measured out the center of my horizontal beam and marked where it would intersect with the vertical beam.

Now, I could’ve just slapped the two pieces together using some long screws and called it a day.

But where’s the fun in that?

I wanted the two beams to fit into each other, almost like a puzzle. Something that would look clean, strong, and professionally built.

So I decided to make what’s called a half-lap joint.

For those unfamiliar with woodworking, a half-lap joint is when you remove half the thickness of each piece of wood so that the two pieces overlap and fit together flush.

Sounds simple enough.

Until you realize you’re working with two pretty heavy pieces of Douglas fir.

I carefully marked out the areas I needed to remove and began making multiple cuts with my saw. The idea was to remove small sections of wood and then clean everything up with a chisel.

This part definitely required some patience.

Measure, cut, chisel, test fit.

Then repeat.

And repeat again.

One thing I’ve learned from woodworking is that you can always remove more wood, but you can’t put it back once you’ve cut too much off.

Eventually, the two beams fit together nicely.

And there it was.

My first 7-foot wooden cross.

I stood back, looked at it, and thought to myself, “Well, that’s pretty cool.”

But I wasn’t finished yet.

Now I had another problem to solve.

How in the world was I going to get this thing to stand up without falling over?

Remember, this cross was going to be used at a wedding. The last thing I wanted was a 7-foot wooden cross tipping over in the middle of someone’s ceremony.

That would definitely make for a memorable wedding, but probably not the kind of memory anyone wanted.

So I needed to build a sturdy base.

I played around with a few different ideas before deciding on a wooden support system that would hold the vertical beam securely while keeping the overall appearance simple.

I didn’t want some giant, bulky base taking attention away from the cross itself.

After all, the cross was supposed to be the centerpiece.

I measured, cut, and assembled the base, making sure everything fit snugly. I also wanted the cross to be removable from the base, which would make transporting and storing it much easier.

Once everything was assembled, I stood the cross upright.

Seven feet tall.

Three and a half feet wide.

And made from solid Douglas fir.

I have to admit, seeing it standing there was pretty satisfying.

One of my favorite parts of woodworking is applying the finish.

There’s something about watching the natural grain of wood come alive when stain or oil hits the surface.

Douglas fir has some beautiful grain patterns, especially when you find pieces with interesting growth rings.

I wanted a finish that would bring out those patterns while giving the cross a warm, rustic appearance.

So I went with a rich walnut-colored stain.

And boy, did that make a difference.

The darker stain really highlighted the grain running through the wood. What started out as a couple of ordinary construction beams now looked like something completely different.

Something with character.

Something meaningful.

And something that would hopefully be part of a very special day.

As I was finishing up the cross, I started thinking about how this whole project came together.

A few years ago, I was watching a random YouTube video about making a little floating cross.

Fast-forward a few years, and here I am building a 7-foot cross for someone’s wedding.

Funny how things work out.

I’ve always enjoyed woodworking because I love taking something ordinary and turning it into something useful or beautiful.

But this project felt a little different.

A cross isn’t just another piece of furniture or decoration.

For Christians, it represents sacrifice, forgiveness, love, and ultimately, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

And here I was building one that would stand at the wedding of two people beginning their lives together.

There’s something pretty special about that.

Marriage itself requires love, patience, sacrifice, and forgiveness.

Come to think of it, some of the very things the cross represents.

When everything was finished, I took one last look at it.

I was pretty happy with how it turned out.

The proportions looked right, the walnut stain brought out the beautiful Douglas fir grain, and the base gave it the support it needed.

But the best part wasn’t the finished product.

It was knowing that something I built with my own two hands would become part of someone’s wedding day.

Years from now, when that couple looks back at their wedding pictures, there’s a good chance my cross will be standing somewhere in the background.

And that makes me smile.

Who would’ve thought that watching a random DIY video on YouTube would eventually lead to this?

I’ve now built somewhere around 30–40 small floating crosses and one giant 7-foot cross.

And something tells me this won’t be my last.

In fact, I’ve already started thinking about different sizes, wood species, finishes, and designs.

Maybe a redwood cross next?

Or perhaps a beautiful black walnut cross?

Now that would be something.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Colossians 3:23:

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” — KJV

I think that verse fits this project pretty well.

Whether I’m building a dining table, milling lumber, making a small floating cross, or constructing a 7-foot wedding cross, I want to take pride in what I create.

Not just because someone is paying me to build something, but because I genuinely enjoy the process.

The measuring, cutting, sanding, staining, and even the occasional mistakes.

It’s all part of learning.

And I’m still learning every day.

So, I guess God really does want me to keep building crosses.

And I’m perfectly fine with that.

Until the next project!

— Fresno Forest Creations