Wooden cross in place at Hayward’s party store

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, a large, lighted, wooden cross made of Western red cedar was erected at Hayward’s party store at the entrance to the city of Belleville.
The cross, crafted by James Forrest Chapman, figured in the trespassing charge against him that put him in jail for five and a half months. He is appealing that conviction.
Owners of the store, who are Catholics, say the Christian cross placement was important, since the sculpture the city placed next door to their parking lot looks like a “Muslim monument.”
Chapman said he used his sawmill to cut a former utility pole, given to him by a DTE subcontractor, into an 8”x8” by 24’ piece that he cut again and formed into an 18’ tall and 6’ wide cross. Chapman said when he got out of jail he went to Hayward’s to get his jail check cashed and was asked for his cross.