Allegany Artisan chosen to make Long Island Bishop’s pectoral cross

Ground Zero steel incorporated into bishop’s regalia

An Allegany Artisan, Stephen Walker of Andover, was chosen to make the pectoral cross for the newly elected Episcopal Bishop of Long Island.  The Bishop elect, Father Lawrence Provenzano, has served as Chief Chaplain of the Massachusetts Corps of Fire Chaplains, since 2004, providing oversight, direction and pastoral care to more than 130 clergy in the single largest active ecumenical ministry in Massachusetts. The Fire Chaplains commissioned Walker to craft a gold cross in the shape of a fireman’s Maltese cross that would include some material from the World Trade Center as a memorial to the many firefighters who died on September 11, 2001, many of whom lived in the diocese where Father Larry will soon serve as bishop.  NYFD Chief Ray Pfeiffer provided material from the recovery at Ground Zero and Walker welded three shavings from a steel girder in the cross.  Father Provenzano was consecrated Bishop of Long Island at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, NY on September 19.

Stephen Walker and his company, Walker Metalsmiths are best known for his Celtic jewelry. Celtic crosses and Celtic rings in silver and gold are his specialty. Walker maintains a studio workshop and store at One Main Street in Andover, NY. His daughter Jeanne runs another store selling Walker's work at 140 Packet's Landing in Fairport, NY.