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Ceremony lights the way for construction phase of cross project

Posted at 9:49 PM, Dec 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-20 23:16:35-05

When the Corpus Christi Cross project is done, people will see a cross that stands 230 feet tall, which will be the largest cross in the Western Hemisphere. But for now, folks who drive by in the night and early morning will see a huge beam of light at the site.

A lighting ceremony on Thursday at the site along Interstate 37 near Carbon Plant Road kicked off the first phase of the construction of the cross itself. It will be built in five sections. The foundation of the cross is already complete and contains 870 tons of concrete and steel, and also goes 60 feet underground.

The light that was turned on Thursday is the one that will sit on the top of the cross when it’s finished. It utilizes some pretty neat technology. The light shoots up about 1,500 feet into the air, but only requires 300 watts of electricity. Because of the unique technology, the lighting engineer on this project told KRIS 6 News that the manufacturer doesn’t let just anyone use it and specifically chose to be involved with the cross project.

Project coordinator Rick Milby, who’s also the pastor of Abundant Life Fellowship Church, said he had hoped that the cross would be built by now. At this point, he still can’t say when the project will be done.

“I would like to see this up in the next year. I’d love to be able to celebrate Easter here at the location next year but i can’t predict when it will be done. It’s according to funding. If funding begins to roll in, we will move as quickly as we can to finish the project,” Milby said.

According to the pastor, it will take about another $1.5 million to complete. The site will also include a baptismal pool, year-round nativity scene, chapel and replica of the Garden Tomb in Israel.

People can track the progress of the project on its website corpuschristicross.com. The project also has an app that you can find by searching “Corpus Christi Cross” in your app store on your mobile device.