Examples of Stations of the Cross Interpretive Art

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Stations of the Cross Project

During Lent, the Intergenerational Team will be leading a special "Stations of the Cross" (“Way of the Cross”) project at St. Paul’s. Please see below to learn more about the "Way of the Cross," view station descriptions, and find ways to sign up.

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What is the “Stations of the Cross” or “Way of the Cross”?

The devotion known as the “Way of the Cross” is an adaptation to local usage of a custom widely observed by pilgrims to Jerusalem: the offering of prayer at a series of places in that city traditionally associated with Jesus’ passion and death.

The number of stations, which at first varied widely, finally became fixed at 14 by Clement XII in 1731. Of these, eight were based directly on events recorded in the Gospels. The remaining six (numbers 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 13) are based on inferences from the Gospel account or from pious legend. The selection of stations presented here all have their root in the biblical story of Jesus rather than drawing on legend. 

Traditionally, the stations are made before a series of plain wooden crosses placed along the walls of the church or in some other convenient place. With each cross there is sometimes associated a pictorial representation of the event being commemorated.

At St. Paul’s, we will adapt this service so that an individual, group, or family from the parish creates each station. Each "artist" will be provided with one 16”x20” blank stretched canvas to interpret and bring their selected station to life in their own unique way (see images above for examples). Sign-ups to create a station will be available during the last week of Epiphany (February 8-15) in Burrows Commons (click here to email Leah Ehlhardt to sign up now).

Blank canvases will be available for pick-up starting on Shrove Tuesday, February 17. Station creation happens over the course of Lent. There will be a “Stations of the Cross workshop” (Saturday, February 28, 12-2 p.m. in the Parish Hall) for those signed up to create stations who wish to share/develop ideas, use St. Paul’s supplies, and work in community with others. Completed canvases are due at St. Paul’s no later than Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026 and will be featured in the Stations of the Cross Service.

The Stations of the Cross service will occur during Holy Week (6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31)* As the creator of the station, you are invited to be the one to read the scripture for your station during the service, but you don’t have to. Also, if you would like to add a short description of your station, we will print and post it near your station.

*On March 31, all should plan to gather in the Parish Hall for light snacks at 5:30 p.m., and then proceed together to the sanctuary to pray and walk the stations. This service is inviting, welcoming, and appropriate for people of all ages. 

If you would like to put your station in a wider context, you may want to read the entire Passion narrative. There are four versions:

               Luke 23:1 -56                 Matthew 27:1-66

              Mark 15:1-47                 John 18:1 – 19:42

 The 14 stations are (see below for descriptions or click here for a printable version):

1. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

2. Jesus is betrayed

3. Jesus is condemned

4. Peter denies Jesus

5. Pilate judges Jesus

6. Jesus crowned with thorns

7. Jesus carries the cross

8.  Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross

9. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

10. Jesus is crucified

11. Jesus promises the kingdom of the thief

12. Jesus on the cross

13. Jesus dies on the cross

14. Jesus is laid in the tomb

If you have questions, please click here to email the Rev. Devon Anderson, or call her at 317.253.1277.