Cross Across the County Traveled Nearly 18 Miles on Good Friday

April 18 marked Good Friday, known as the commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Taking part in a Washington County tradition leading up to Easter Sunday, community members joined together to participate in the 14th annual “Cross Across the County” walk.

Darwin Gilliatt

Cross Across the County is an event held every year on Good Friday as a way to share about the sacrifice that Jesus made with the community. The route varies each year, but this year’s walk totaled to 17.8 miles – the third longest in Cross Across the County history. At the front of the pack is a large, wooden cross that is carried, from start to finish, on the shoulders of those walking the journey.

Beginning at Westview Christian Church, the community gathered at the early hour of 5:30 AM and set off for the first stop. The walk had six stops altogether:

• Westview Christian Church (Start)

• New Hope United Methodist

• Arby’s

• Dunkin’

• John Jones Dealership

• First Baptist Church of Pekin (Finish)

As walkers arrived at First Baptist Church of Pekin at approximately 12:00 PM, they were greeted with drinks, snacks, and a Good Friday service led by Pastor Ben Brewer.

“It’s the reality of why we celebrate Easter,” said Matt Gorman. “Many people think it is just for a day off work, time with family and Easter baskets, and all of that is great. However, the real reason that we’re doing this is because of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and the resurrection of Jesus that gave us our faith.”

According to Pastor Steve Gorman of First Baptist Church of Salem, there were about 75 members of the community that participated in the walk this year.

Each year, Cross Across the County has had the pleasure of being joined by Darwin Gilliatt, founder. He started the walk 14 years ago, and it has been going strong ever since. Darwin said that he actually got the idea from another county.

“I witnessed this happening elsewhere 15 years ago, so I started planning for it, and we started it here 14 years ago. It has grown each year,” said Gilliatt. “The first year we did this, we were an hour late to the church! We just underestimated how long it would take.

“Casting Crowns has that one song that says, ‘I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody’ (‘Nobody’ by Casting Crowns). That’s just what I wanted to do,” Gilliatt continued. “When I first started this, I was going through some rough times. I thought to myself, ‘man, I need help.’ So, that’s what really started it all. I witnessed it, and I wanted to pay it forward.”

The Cross Across the County walk was aided by local law enforcement to help control traffic as members from our community traveled from one side of the county to the other.

“A huge thank you to our local law enforcement,” said Steve Gorman. “We probably wouldn’t be able to do this without them.”

As our community members carried the cross from before sunrise to noon, they honored the sacrifice of Jesus Christ while also uplifting one another at the same time. The 14th annual Cross Across the County walk was more than just a journey across Washington County – it was a powerful expression of faith, community, and remembrance.

Happy Easter, from The Washington County Times!

Thank you to First Baptist Church of Salem for submitting the photos below: