Inspired Sunday - Prayer Book Cross in Golden Gate Park

While visiting the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco we happened upon a sign for the Prayer Book Cross. Curious we veered off the main path and headed up hill and what a lovely sight we found.

The Prayer Book Cross

The 60 foot sandstone cross was a gift from the Church of England in tribute to the first English language sermon and the first use of the Book of Common Prayer in California   Erected in 1894 on one of the highest points it towered over the park and was originally intended to be seen from the sea. Today the cross is almost completely hidden by the trees. The cross isn't visible from the road and if it wasn't for the small sign posted we wouldn't have known it was there. 

Engraved on the front:

Presented to Golden Gate Park at the opening of the Midwinter Fair January 1, AD 1894 - As a memorial of the service held on the shore of Drakes Bay about Saint John Baptists Day June 24 Anno Domini 1579 by Francis Fletcher priest of the Church of England and chaplain of Sir Francis Drake chronicler of the service.

Engraved on the back:

First Christian service in the English tongue on our coast. First use of Book of Common Prayer in our country - One of the first recorded missionary prayers on our continent. 

Location

The cross is located in the San Francisco's Golden Gate Park above Rainbow Falls on John F Kennedy Drive.