Alumni Garden & Celtic Cross

The Alumni Garden

The Alumni Garden is a peaceful, contemplative space designed for our community to deepen their connection with God. In the center of this outdoor space is a Celtic cross adorned with imagery from the Old and New Testaments. Surrounding the cross are several benches, inviting those who seek a moment of reflection.

The garden also features a beautiful brick pathway, where those who financially supported the construction of the chapel are honored with personalized engraved bricks. These engravings represent generations of George Fox alumni, friends, parents, faculty and staff. The Alumni Garden symbolizes our ongoing commitment to a legacy of faith, unity, and a community that seeks to make a positive impact on the world.

The Celtic Cross

At the heart of the chapel’s Alumni Garden stands a Celtic cross more than 13 feet tall and hand-carved from sandstone. This monumental cross, named Brendan's Cross, features intricate biblical imagery, with scenes from the Old Testament on one side and the New Testament on the other.

Brendan’s Cross takes its name from its primary Irish stonemason, Brendan McGloin, who was named after St. Brendan, an early monk recognized as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. McGloin and President Robin Baker envisioned the cross, which neared completion in Ireland just before McGloin lost his battle with cancer in April 2025. Following his death, McGloin’s family and fellow stonemasons—Jackie McKenna, Martha Quinn, and his mentor Séamus Dunbar—stepped in to complete the cross.

McGloin's passion for stone carving was ignited through his work on significant restoration projects in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, including Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral. His work has gained recognition both in Ireland and internationally. Among his most notable creations is a 14-foot Irish high cross, part of the Oregon Irish Famine Memorial at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Portland. The cross is a replica of the medieval Cross of the Scriptures at Clonmacnoise, highlighting his dedication to preserving Irish heritage.

Celtic crosses, or Irish high crosses, are iconic symbols found at ancient monastic sites across Ireland. They represent Ireland’s most significant contribution to Western European art during the Middle Ages, blending Celtic artistry with Christian symbolism. These crosses are often distinguished by the circular ring at the intersection of the arms and shaft – commonly known as the “Celtic cross” – which is thought to symbolize eternity or the heavens. The intricate designs, including interlacing patterns and biblical scenes, served as a visual tool to help monks teach the gospel to early Christian communities.