Crowd gathers to watch cross go up at I-55
Published 12:50 pm Friday, June 30, 2017
- Photographer Malcolm Morehead’s drone provided a bird’s eye view of the construction site near I-55 in Batesville Tuesday as the top portion of the metal cross was hoisted and attached to the base. The structure stands 120 feet and will be lighted for viewing at night. The custom designed crown of thorns makes this cross unique among others erected along roadways across the country.
Crowd gathers to watch cross go up at I-55
Director credits community’s prayers, support
Photographer Malcolm Morehead’s drone provided a bird’s eye view of the construction site near I-55 in Batesville Tuesday as the top portion of the metal cross was hoisted and attached to the base. The structure stands 120 feet and will be lighted for viewing at night. The custom designed crown of thorns makes this cross unique among others erected along roadways across the country.
By Rupert Howell
Work at the Cross (in Batesville) is not complete, although hundreds of onlookers and thousands through social media watched the much anticipated placement of the top portion which included the unique Crown of Thorns Tuesday.
Batesvillle Cross project director Carol Anne Lightsey said Thursday that workers are progressing from the top to bottom placing remaining sheet metal on the structure.
Lightsey led the crusade to raise the approximately $200,000 needed for the project but quickly defers any credit to the entire community who she said supported the effort with donations, skills and prayers.
Between 200 and 300 people gathered near the construction site with cars parked almost to Walmart as observers anxiously awaited the attachment of the final piece to the structure.
Some cars actually pulled over on nearby I-55 to watch the activity.
Once all the metal is in place, a 60’x60’ patio-like pad will be poured around the base. A six-car parking area will also be included.
Phil Tidwell of Tidwell Electric has been assigned lighting duties. Six LED lights will be placed about the Cross to illuminate it for nighttime viewing.
Piled stone will be placed at the base and will include a corner stone with the June 27, 2017 capping date when the large crowd witnessed Rozier Construction Company workers place the top portion of the Cross with the Crown of Thorns onto the structure.
Located near the intersection of I-55 and Highway 6-278, the Cross can be easily seen by north and south travelers on the Interstate and is also visible from Highway 6.
The location is House-Carlson Drive near Wal-Mart and Panola Medical Center.
It can also be accessed by taking the new portion of House-Carlson/Pine Lodge Road where it bisects Eureka Road at the I-55 overpass and driving north.
