GORDON — The tradition of the “Trek of the Cross” in the borough continued on Good Friday for the 38th time as a remembrance of Jesus Christ carrying the cross to his crucifixion and death.
For the seventh year in a row, Jeffrey Nemeth, 41, of Frackville, prepared for his walk through Gordon, putting on a crown of thorns, a white robe and purple sash. As is the tradition, he wore no shoes for the trek, walking barefoot as had the two other men who portrayed Jesus in the first three decades of the devotional.
The trek began at noon from Simpson United Methodist Church with participants, some in period costumes, others in regular clothing, gathering at the church near the former parsonage that was used for getting into costumes. Nemeth led the way, flanked by two Roman centurions portrayed by brothers Daulton and Tanner Smith, Gordon.
The trek moved east on Biddle Street, turned left onto Hobart Street, then moved to McKnight Street to walk its length back to Biddle Street, ending at the Methodist church for a community ecumenical Good Friday service at 1 p.m. by the Rev. James Christman, pastor.
For more than 30 years, the trek’s route was the shape of a cross, with stops at St. Paul Lutheran Church and Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, both on Biddle Street, as part of the crossbar where Jesus’ hands were nailed. Since both churches are no longer being used for services, the trek route was shortened.
Nemeth was thrilled to see the weather clear just in time.
“I said that the good Lord was going to turn the water off and turn on the sun for us,” Nemeth said. “It poured rain this morning to wash the streets off for us.”
Accompanying Nemeth was his son, Jeffrey Jr., who may take over in years to come.
“I figure when I can’t do this anymore, he can take over,” he said.
There were new walkers this year, but also some regulars, including Rose Yost, Gordon, whose husband, Elmer, began the tradition in 1979. “Moses” also walked in the procession along the streets, being portrayed by Jeanette Horner, 70, of Weishample. A member of Barry Salem United Methodist Church in Weishample, Friday was her second time participating, her first being last year.
“I walked last year, but not in this,” Horner said, referring to her costume. “Last year my girlfriend said she was coming to the trek and invited me. I decided to do it again this year because I loved it. It’s important to think about what Jesus did walking with that cross on his back.”
The tradition began in 1979 when Elmer Yost, Allentown, picked up a large cross and walked through the streets portraying Jesus Christ to bring the salvation message of Good Friday to Gordon’s homebound. The first year, Yost did the trek by himself. The second year he had a friend come from Allentown as a soldier. On the third year, he rented two soldier costumes.
When he started the trek, Yost was an Allentown resident, but made regular visits to the borough and was a member of Simpson United Methodist Church. The pastor at the time was interested in re-enactments and supported Yost’s idea.
Yost had planned to do the “Trek” for 12 years — one year for each of the 12 apostles, with the hope that it would continue beyond that time. Shortly after the 10th trek, Yost passed away. In order to complete the intended 12 years of treks, Yost’s nephew, Edward Labie, Girardville, picked up the cross in 1989 for the two remaining years. Those two treks became 21 treks, his last in 2009. Nemeth, who is Labie’s nephew, took on the role of Jesus in 2010.
Over the past 37 treks, only two have been adversely affected by weather. It snowed during one of Yost’s treks, which he still did in bare feet. The other trek was the year Labie took over for his late uncle when a heavy rain fell throughout the event. Many Good Fridays began with rain, but as with yesterday, it was rain-free by noon, with the sun breaking out from behind clouds just as the trek began.
Gordon Fire Police provided traffic control.