On Friday, September 27, 2024, the Wheaton Academy student body gathered to dedicate the Cross Plaza, a new space on campus constructed as part of For Generations to Come, Wheaton Academy’s most recent capital campaign. This campus expansion addressed a variety of needs, adding classrooms and collaborative spaces that will extend the mission of Wheaton Academy.
A Central Campus Symbol
The Cross Plaza, our new central campus symbol, represents Wheaton Academy’s commitment to Christ above all else—a commitment established by our founders in 1853 and faithfully sustained for over 170 years. Today, we remain firmly committed to the “foundation upon which the Academy was first established, upon which it still stands, and upon which, by the grace of God, it will continue to stand.”
Head of School Steve Bult reflected on this commitment during the dedication ceremony, drawing on Paul’s words in Galatians 6:14; “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Bult commissioned the school community to follow in Paul’s footsteps, boasting only in the cross of Jesus Christ.
Wheaton Academy teacher and alumnus, David Tollefsen ’08, shared a devotion, reflecting on the symbolism of the Cross Plaza:
The cross was once an instrument of torture and reminds us of the cost of our salvation. But it is also a symbol of triumph and an expression of love that reminds us of the great work God accomplished there. (Colossians 2:13-15)
The Plaza is a circle, a universal symbol that can represent the world. It also can represent wholeness and unity, especially the unity of our Triune God. Jesus gave Himself for the sins of the world. His death should transform every aspect of our lives and nothing in this world is outside of His love. “By His wounds, we are made whole.” (Isaiah 53:5)
The base of the cross stands firm in the ground, which was created by God along with all things visible and invisible. We are creatures, made from earth. In the incarnation, Jesus also took on an earthly body. He dignified our physical life by coming in human form (John 1:14). He has blessed us to do the work He has given us to do in this particular ground.
The central beam points us up. We will have to look up at this cross, which will turn our gaze toward the heavens. We adore and wonder at the great work of Christ, who was “lifted up” and accomplished so great a work (John 12:32). He ascended bodily to heaven and is seated at God’s right hand, whose Spirit intercedes on our behalf.
The arms of the cross stretch out toward our neighbors, welcoming them and extending God’s love through Christ who “will draw all people to himself” (John 12:32). Look around at who is next to you—staff, students, and guests—and continue to love one another just as Jesus loved you (John 13:34).
Let us not presume that this cross will do the actions that we, as the Body of Christ, are called to do. This cross cannot reach out its hands to the people next to us. We must do that. It will not speak the gospel message. We should do that. It will not be the feet walking the ground of this campus. It is our feet that move. This cross is not sent to the ends of the world. We are the ones who are being sent. Remember the words of Jesus, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Matthew 16: 24-25).
Finally, student AJ Johnson ’25 prayed and shared with our campus community:
Lord, we recognize the work you completed on the cross. In that moment, your dearly loved son bore all our doubts, anxieties, brokenness, and insufficiency, humbling himself in suffering and death so that we might have life.
Help us to follow in the way of Christ, taking up our crosses and leaving this world behind. Help us to completely surrender our lives to you, even when it costs us everything. Through trials and hardships, help us to persevere in the knowledge of Christ’s sufficiency. Because of the cross, we are complete in you, free from our battle with sinful desires and insecurity. Thank you for your grace, love, and plan for our lives. Amen.
The Cross Plaza is more than an architectural statement. It boldly proclaims our faith and commitment to Christ-centered education. As we look to the future, we pray that our faithfulness to the gospel today will continue to bless students at Wheaton Academy for generations to come.