At just under 50 feet tall, with a 35-foot crossbeam and letters 31/2 feet tall, it’s difficult not to see the message — “Jesus Saves” — when traveling along U.S. 41 on Terre Haute’s north side.
But that’s the whole idea of the large cross.
“What the cross is doing is exactly what it has done for 2,000 years. It is in-your-face evangelism. I couldn’t preach a better sermon than what that cross is doing,” said the Rev. Keith E. Taylor of the 1,400-member church at 2929 N. Seventh St. Church members put up the cross through donations.
“Churches should be the focal point for everything in the community. We want people to know that there is a better way,” Taylor said. “It is the simple message of the cross.”
The church has even changed its name of 85 years, formerly First Assembly of God, to Cross Tabernacle, the pastor said. The cross was erected on Monday.
Taylor said it is another ministry of the church, which also provides 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies annually to the Terre Haute Housing Authority and provides transportation each Wednesday to feed a hot meal to 60 inner-city children. The church’s Web site, www.crosst.org, had more than 1 million hits last year, he said.
“In the age that we are living in and with the city facing addictions with meth, we felt it was God’s timing to assert a little more presence in the city. It is quite an eye-catcher. Travelers can see that somebody’s not ashamed of the cross and the Gospel,” Taylor said.
The cross’s main section is a bridge I-beam, with about an additional 13 feet set into more than 30 yards of concrete underground, Taylor said. The church expects to illuminate the cross in the next three to four months, he said. The cross has a small, flashing red light on top to attract attention, Taylor said.
The cross is smaller than several communication towers throughout Terre Haute, which rise up to 100 feet, Taylor said.
The idea of a large cross is not new.
The 50-foot cross in Terre Haute is small compared with a 198-foot tall cross, with a 113-foot crossbar, near the intersection of Interstate 70 and Interstate 57 in Effingham, Ill., an idea that sprouted from the First Baptist Church of Effingham.
While not unique, it is the first large cross in the Wabash Valley, something some nearby residents say they did not realize was being planned.
“I would have liked to have been notified in person,” said Mike Dowell, co-owner of JJ Smith Flower Shop and Gardens. The company owns lands adjacent to the church.
“It is an eyesore and it overpowers our property that we are trying to sell and our business that has been there over 150 years. It is very overpowering and does not fit in with the neighborhood,” Dowell said.
Nearby Collett Park is a historic area and Dowell said the large cross is really just a huge sign.
“It is good to have some type of religion, as religion is good for the human soul, but I don’t like people trying to shove their religion down my throat,” Dowell said. “That is overkill.”
Anne Bloxdorf, who lives in the 2500 block of North Ninth Street, about four blocks from the cross, said she didn’t notice the cross at first, despite driving past it a few times on Seventh Street.
“The church takes care of the property and it is their property. It is huge, but I would rather see a cross than a dirty piece of property,” Bloxdorf said.
Rick Mascari, a longtime resident of Collett Park and the president of the neighborhood association, said he could not speak for the association because it had yet to discuss the cross.
“As a resident and a Christian, I can say I’m not offended by the message [of the cross],” he said. “I just wonder if maybe there’s a better way to spread that message.”
Mascari said he admired what the church had done with its building and grounds in the past. “It’s a nice church,” he said. However, he said he knew someone who has been interested in buying the property adjacent to the church “and putting some nice houses there,” and that would likely not happen now, “especially if that sign is going to be lighted up.”
The church obtained a variance from the Terre Haute Board of Zoning Appeals on Jan. 4. The cross is not designated as a sign, but rather as an accessory building, said Jeremy Weir, executive director of the Vigo County Area Planning Department.
The church obtained a 35-foot variance from Terre Haute’s 15-foot height restriction for accessory buildings, such as garages.
“When we first saw this, we thought ‘What is the purpose behind this?’ But they want to spread the word of God and it is difficult for us to tell them how to do this,” Weir said.
Under zoning law, adjacent property owners were to be notified, plus a sign was placed on the property announcing the zoning appeal request as well as a legal notification published in the Tribune-Star, Weir said. Dowell, however, said he was not notified.
“It is a residential zoning district and religious uses are allowed,” Weir said.
Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
Discussion
Display erected along U.S. 41 on north side of Terre Haute
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Magnolia gives in on rezoning
A potential $20-million investment in Terre Haute’s east side has been blocked by public opposition.
-
Expert sees ‘slow slog’ ahead for economy
While optimism flickers, the Wabash Valley and Indiana economy may see a “slow slog” this year amid a flat housing market, unemployment and political unrest.
-
Komen move won’t affect Indiana Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood of Indiana will not be affected by Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s decision to halt grant funding to Planned Parenthood affiliates nationwide.
-
Council discusses ideas for memorial ways
The Terre Haute City Council Thursday night discussed possible new rules for designating “memorial ways” in the community.
-
Madonna prepares our halftime feast
Suddenly, she arrived, with her famous bleached blond hair, the almond-shaped eyes, the ruby-red lips.
-
An advocate for the truth
The truth of the matter is, lying has consequences.
Pulitzer Prize winning author and New York Times columnist James B. Stewart offered an honest look at the trend of dishonesty inside Tilson Auditorium Thursday. His new book, “Tangled Webs: How False Statements are Undermining America: From Martha Stewart to Bernie Madoff” was featured as part of Indiana State University’s speaker series.
-
Super Bowl officials arrest "web pirate"
NFL Super Bowl officials were hoping to score some major media attention with the arrest of a “web pirate” accused of illegally streaming sporting events over the Internet.
-
Indy Super Bowl has cold-crisis master plan
Eager to avoid the winter-weather disaster that hit last year’s Super Bowl, this year’s host city has developed a cold-crisis master plan.
-
Steve Weatherford’s gifts keep on coming to hometown
The first time Steve Weatherford rolled through the New York Giants locker room with a laundry cart, collecting castoff tennis shoes and cleats, he made sure to tell teammates he wasn’t selling their stuff on eBay.
-
Shooting, chase leads to 23-year sentence
A Brazil man received a 23-year prison sentence for a 2010 incident in which he shot at Terre Haute Police during a car chase on the city’s east side.
-
State police release stats on K-9 work
More than $3 million in cash along with thousands of pounds of illegal drugs were removed from criminal enterprises in 2011 through the Indiana State Police K-9 program.
-
Linton-based Guard unit prepares for deployment
An Indiana National Guard unit from the southern part of the state that was deployed twice to Iraq since 2003 is now preparing to be deployed to Afghanistan.
-
Magnolia drops retirement complex plans for Ohio Boulevard
The company that had been hoping to build a new senior living complex along Ohio Boulevard has canceled its plans.
-
One million dollars won’t change Greencastle man
According to Michael Comer of Greencastle, winning $1 million on a Hoosier Lottery scratch-off ticket won’t change anything about him. And, if his initial reaction is any indication, he is telling the truth.
-
Greene County General Hospital announces expansion, renovations
Construction is expected to start in early spring on a new $6.5 million expansion-renovation of the Greene County General Hospital.
-
Renovations finished, airport prepared for Super Bowl traffic
The Super Bowl may be a few days off, but the “touchdowns” have already started at Terre Haute International Airport — Hulman Field.
-
MARK BENNETT: Super Bowl luck? His is mostly bad
I’ve learned to take a Seinfeld approach to Super Bowls.
In a flash of clairvoyance, Jerry excitedly reminded buddy George Costanza that “if every instinct you have is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right.” -
Ohio Blvd. rezoning draws opposition
Opponents of a planned senior-living complex on Ohio Boulevard near Deming Park showed up in force at Wednesday night’s Vigo County Area Plan Commission meeting.
-
Child molestation charges filed against Terre Haute man
Two counts of class-A felony child molestation have been filed against a Terre Haute man arrested last week on child pornography charges after police received a tip that he was offering a child for sex via instant messaging.
-
CASA kids among many receiving funds from trust
Because of the generosity of four long-ago leaders in Terre Haute, some at-risk children today can participate in extra-curricular activities that they couldn’t otherwise afford.
-
Speaker tries to educate others about Islam
A 36-year-old orthodox Muslim, Zohra Sarwari frequently confronts misconceptions and stereotypes — even prejudice — when she is in public.
-
Law firm offering rides home
The Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin law firm plans to sponsor free taxi rides home from bars and restaurants to those who who have too much to drink on Super Bowl Sunday.
-
City woman facing arson charge
A Terre Haute woman faces a charge of arson related to a Jan. 10 apartment building fire in the 600 block of South Center Street.
-
Indiana joins right-to-work ranks, governor signs bill
Indiana has become the first Rust Belt state to enact the contentious right-to-work labor law prohibiting labor contracts that require workers to pay union representation fees.
-
VIDEO: Steve Weatherford homecoming
The only three New York Giants players who touched the football on a field goal that propelled their team into Sunday’s Super Bowl against the New England Patriots visited Terre Haute North Vigo High School Tuesday — where a throng of Patriots cheered for the Giants.
-
South student serving as Super Bowl ambassador
For more than five hours on Monday, Molly Nasser tied ribbons on gift baskets intended for hospitalized children across the country, part of an unprecedented service project undertaken by a Super Bowl host city.
-
SLIDESHOW: Indy has built rep from ground up
Leaders of Indiana’s capital city spent decades gussying up their downtown by building big sports and convention venues and luring upscale hotels, popular restaurants and a four-story shopping mall to locate here.
-
Vigo County trial date changed
The trial date has changed for a defendant in the April 2011 death of a Terre Haute man.
-
Vigo Commissioners strive to cut expenses
In an effort to remove possible overtime and compensation time issues, the Vigo County Board of Commissioners Tuesday approved a “letter of engagement” for a Muncie-based firm to conduct a time analysis study and a self audit/analysis for compliance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
-
Sports museum helped Indy land big game
During the competition for Super Bowl XLVI, it didn’t exactly hurt Indianapolis to be able to throw the National Art Museum of Sports name into the mix.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
Komen Reverses Planned Parenthood Cuts
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
NY Police Shoot Dead Unarmed Man
Past Complaint About LA Teacher Comes to Light
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
Madonna Nervous About Super Bowl Halftime Show
Foreclosures Down 34 Percent in 2011
Hiring Burst Pushes Jobless Rate Down to 8.3%
Reaction Heated on Planned Parenthood-Komen Rift
Raw Video: Australia Towns Isolated by Floods
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
Cat in Cockpit Causes Four-hour Flight Delay
Raw Video: Fighting Goes on in Homs, Syria
Trump Backs Romney, Despite Gingrich Staff Claim
SB XLVI: Adam Sandler
Bronx Zoo Selling Valentine's Day Roaches
Adam Levine: Shame on Randy Jackson
Tim Tebow Addresses His Fans and Faith
Gossip Girl's Steamy Spread
AG Holder defends actions in heated hearing
First Look: Kim Kardashian on 'Last Man Standing'
Panetta said to expect Israel attack on Iran in spring
Madonna channels Victor Cruz
Christina Hendricks Stuns in Sexy Dress
Raw Video: Snow Causes 20-Car Pileup in Italy
College Football Prospect Chooses Team Based on Chick-Fil-A
EXCLUSIVE: Katy Perry's Sims 3 Commercial BTS
Ads get social at Super Bowl
Man Adopts 42-Year-Old Girlfriend
Kim Kardashian Looking to Start Bible Study Group
Raw Video: Punxsutawney Phil Sees Shadow
