Stories
The
Crucifix at Horwich Moor
Not many Methodist Churches have a
crucifix, but ours has and it came to pass in this way.
Dick Rigby, who lived in Horwich Moor close to the church
found himself one day at the close of the Second World
War on the sloop HMS Hart as it made its way through the
Suez Canal to the Far East. As the ship sailed along, it
progressed through crowds of soldiers lining the canal's
banks, each man was shouting out the name of his home
town as loudly as he could. Over all the noise Dick heard
the name 'Horwich'. Calling back to the mass of troops,
'Horwich' in return, he heard the name 'Dootson'. Out of
all that teeming throng it was a friend, a workmate, Bill
Dootson from home!
When Dick had managed to locate him he was asked "Do
you come back this way?" Dick didn't know. Bill was
hoping that Dick could take letters home to his mother in
Horwich. To take letters at that time was something the
lads weren't supposed to do for security reasons, but
Dick knew the family. Dick couldn't say for sure whether
they would be back but they both agreed to 'look out in
case'. The sloop went on its way and once in the Pacific,
Dick was transferred to HMS Glory for a short time and
was aboard her when the Peace Treaty with Japan was
signed at Raubal.
Back on the sloop Hart he returned via the Suez Canal. As
before troops lined the banks and there amongst them was
Bill. By now Dick had no hesitation about taking the
letters as the war was over. As a thank you gift Bill
gave to Dick a brass figure of the dying Christ which he
had bought whilst stationed in Jerusalem. "Give it
to the Missus" he said. Dick's "Missus"
happened to be a member at Horwich Moor. The sloop with
Dick aboard continued its journey and in the course of
time he arrived home and delivered the letters to Bill's
mum who was delighted to have them. Dick's wife Rose was
equally as pleased with her gift!
Then after a while Bill sent to Dick a piece of Olive
wood which also came from the Holy Land. Dick spent hours
making it into a cross, and with Rose's consent placed
the dying Christ on it. It took him quite a time to
complete. Then one day he said to Rose "I would love
this to be placed in Horwich Moor Church."
There came a time after he died and Rose herself wasn't
well that she came to church one day and asked if this
precious Crucifix could have a place in the building. We
were only too delighted to receive it especially with
such a story attached to it. It meant a lot to Rose to
see it in place.
On Armistice Sunday each year we make a point of having
it in place amongst the red poppies below our war
memorial to signify not only lives laid down by thousands
of British servicemen during the wars, but as a reminder
of how Jesus gave His life for us all out of love.
"Greater love hath no man than this that he lays
down his life for his friends." John 15:13