Finding the Sacred in the Common Place

Photographs and Meditations by Ruth Joy

Click Here for Full Online Exhibition

 

 

 

 

30th June – 19th July 2016

Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm

Saturday 11am – 3pm

 

Bishop Street Methodist Church Gallery presents an exhibition of original prints by  photographer Tom Cross.

Please scroll down to read more about him and see a list of print prices.

 

 

The Reverend Tom Cross

 

Thomas Dunning Cross was born into a Methodist family in Melton Mowbray in 1911.  After taking his first degree in History and Mathematics he trained to become a Methodist minister at Wesley House, Cambridge where he obtained his second Degree in Theology and was ordained at the Hull Conference in 1938. His ministry in England ranged from Bath to Lancaster and his final appointment was in Glasgow.

Tom was a powerful preacher and his obituary described how he was ”always ready to listen sensitively rather than speak hurriedly”.  In 1976 he retired to Borrowby, near Thirsk, the perfect location for him to enjoy his hobby of walking and his budding interest in photography. Tom’s house had a dark room fitted where he developed all his black and white prints. His photographs won competitions in the active local photographic society in Northallerton and the Methodist Pen and Camera Club. He was also awarded the Royal Photographic Society distinctions ARPS and LRPS.

After his first wife died, Tom’s hobbies played an even bigger part in his life. In June 1989 he spent five days walking the 100 miles of the Cleveland Way in the company of Revd Prof Anthony Hanson. Later, he married again and became the stepfather of Deirdre Brunning, a member of this Church. Tom continued to preach regularly in both Anglican and Methodist Churches where he was much loved for his thoughtful words and sensitive involvement in the local communities. When Tom read aloud from the bible his depth of belief came across in his voice. His powerful reading of 1 Corinthians 13 at the marriages of many of his step-grandchildren will be remembered by many.

To avoid having a big party for his 80th birthday he decided to mark the occasion by climbing Ben Nevis.  A couple of days before the event Tom went to check the start of the route but as it was such a glorious day he walked all the way to the top! This didn’t stop him climbing it all over again on his birthday. He thought the feat was not anything to remark on, walking was just a natural way of being and his wiry frame found no difficulty despite its 80 years!

Tom continued to enjoy his walking and photography well into his eighties throughout the areas he so loved; the Yorkshire Dales, the Moors, Cornwall and West Scotland. He died in 2005 having preached until his 90th year.

 

 

 

If you would like to own one of Tom’s original prints or would like to buy one as a gift for someone they will be available for sale during the exhibition. The prints are being sold at very affordable prices as we would like as many as possible to end up in homes to be looked at and enjoyed for years to come. Please see below for prices.