The Cross over the Altar


in memory of
Marguerite Frances Asbeek Brusse – Wright
1920 - 1984

Told by Paulina Robbins van Rijn

Are you wondering why that Cross is so unusual?
Well, Marguerite’s brother John Boileau Wright with his wife, Joan, and their children, Anthony, Angela and Jeremy, together with her husband Boy Asbeek Brusse and her five children: Sarah Mott, Maarten, Paulina and Lydia van Rijn and Machiel Asbeek Brusse wanted to make a gift to the Church in her memory.

The family had worshipped here since 1958, and Marguerite being English, and her daughter, Paulina, were both always very involved in church life.

John Lewis, the then Vicar, and Archdeacon and also a family friend suggested a Cross. Not just any Cross, but one made from the cast iron hinges on the main doors of the former Church of the Resurrection.

John himself personally pulled off the outer decorative ironwork, which was made of four pieces of cast iron dated 1870. He also designed the Cross.

A friend of Lydia’s, André Lipschidt - an artist specialising in forged metalwork - welded the four hinges together into the Cross and then water-gilded the ends.

The Cross was dedicated at a Memorial Service held for Marguerite on August 5, 1986.

Small anecdote:
When André was hanging the cross on the ceiling the scaffolding collapsed.
He fell, but managed to catch of and hold on to the decorative ridges on the side of the wall. Never has a church heard so many bad words! Elvira, the concierge, was running around saying Hail Mary’s, but did manage to get a ladder near him and, despite hurt pride and some bruises, he was saved.

A copy has been made of the Cross:
Size 3,5 cm x 2,5 cm
€ 50 for a silver Cross with free necklace
€ 180 for a golden Cross – (with € 90 deposit).

A small booklet is also available of the story above €2
(stocking filler next Christmas?)

To order, contact Paulina Robbins van Rijn

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