Giant Cross inspires hope
Stacy Smith/Verge Reporter
Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: Road Trippin'
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The cross, which costs $1 million to build, is intended to serve as a symbol of hope, comfort and peace to the approximately 50,000 travelers who pass the site daily.
After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, thousands of Christians gathered to pray at the cross.
"It's like God knew we were going to need a sign of hope," said Connie Roewe, Cross Foundation volunteer and Effingham resident.
Though many people may wonder about the cross's purpose, volunteers have not received any negative feedback.
"I've never heard anyone complain about it," said Carole Ludwit, a Cross Foundation volunteer and Effingham resident. "I think if most people don't like it, they just ignore it."
The cross was not built to force Christian beliefs on people, Roewe said.
"We're not trying to convert people," she said. "We don't preach at anyone."
Ludwit said coming to the cross is an individual experience.
"Once a man got out of his car and got down on the bare ground to pray," she said. "Many people say they know they are almost home or everything will be alright when they see the cross."
Many visitors come in and share their stories of the hard times in their lives, Roewe said.
She remembers a woman who stopped along the way to visit her sister, who was in her final stages of cancer.
"It was at the same time my twin sister had cancer, and (it) gave me hope," she said. "We were strangers hugging and crying together, it was a beautiful gift I got that day."
All different sorts of groups have visited the cross, from wedding parties to memorial services to school groups.
"It's becoming a gathering place which is just what we wanted," Roewe said.
Since the initial project was completed in July 2001, a few additions have been made to the cross. One addition was a display of the 10 Commandments built around the cross.
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