Visitors to the SPEC Retreat Centre will be familiar with the large wooden cross that serves as the focal point of the Rotunda building. At its centre hangs a striking crucifix, featuring a carved figure of Christ made from spruce wood and stained to a rich, darker tone.

The crucifix was created between 1880 and 1885 and measures 180 cm in height, with a width of 160 cm from fingertip to fingertip. It was carved by Andreas Braun in Oberammergau, Germany, a town renowned for its woodcarving tradition and Passion Play. The crucifix was originally installed in St Alban’s Anglican Church in Teddington.

A small handbook published in 1957 (2nd Edition) includes the following entry in its section on St Alban’s Church:

“A life-sized crucifix, the work of one of the Oberammergau Passion players, hangs on the pillar opposite the pulpit and was the gift of Mr H. J. Chinnery.”

Further information regarding the crucifix’s provenance has been provided by Mr Josef Albl of the ALBL Woodcarving Studio in Oberammergau, who confirms these details. Prior to the church’s closure in 1976, the crucifix hung in the nave of St Alban’s, positioned on the north wall, as shown in the accompanying image.

The SPEC Retreat Centre is grateful to the community of St Alban’s, Teddington, for the gift of this historic crucifix, which was installed in the Rotunda building in 2022. The crucifix was officially blessed on 14 January 2026 by Fr Francis Thomas, Youth Chaplain, in the presence of clergy and parishioners from St Mary with St Alban, along with members of the Westminster Youth Ministry Team.

If you want to see the crucifix in real life, consider visiting the Retreat Centre on a retreat!