Ruthwell Cross

The mediaeval carved stone cross once stood in the churchyard at Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire (Scotland) . Demolished during the reformation, it was later rehabiltated and rebuilt inside the church. It is carved with scenes from christian scripture and anglo-saxon mythology, as well as biblical texts in Latin and - most remarkably - a large fragment of the Old English poem called "The Dream of the Rood" in the runic alphabet.

It's taller than you might think to look at it: to fit under the roof, its base is sunk into a well in the floor. Not all the fragments were recovered: the cross-piece is a modern reconstruction.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruthwell_Cross

For some reason I only had the cameraphone with me.

The Rev Henry Duncan who rehabilitated the cross also dedicated his life and career to the benefit of the rural poor of his parish. To this end, he was the founder of the first savings bank and thus of the modern world-wide credit union movement, which is commemorated in the Savings Bank Museum in Ruthwell village.