Cross of Peace successes celebrated

The successful restoration of a Southern Illinois landmark was celebrated at a Christmas Eve gathering at Bald Knob Mountain near Alto Pass.

The gathering took place at midday in the welcome center near the Cross of Peace, which is located at the peak of the highest point in Union County.

Between 40 and 50 people attended a brief worship service and press conference which was hosted by Bald Knob Cross of Peace Inc., the governing body which oversees the Union County landmark.

The possibilty of traveling through snow did not keep people away from the Christmas Eve event.

Some of those who came to Bald Knob left several inches of snow on the ground back at home in places like Herrin. Some of the vehicles parked outside the welcome center had snow on them.

Guest speakers at Friday's ceremony included Steve McKeown, president of Bald Knob Cross of Peace Inc. transitional board of directors; Dr. Ralph Brandon, vice president of the organization; and Ron Stork, who has served as project manager in the reconstruction and renovation of the Cross of the Peace.

Brandon said that Friday's event offered a time to say thank you for the successful renovation of the Cross of Peace, which had fallen into major disrepair.

"We've come to give God thanks, and give him praise," Brandon said.

Brandon praised the team work which has helped to restore the 111-foot-tall cross.

Steve McKeown said he was "amazed" at the turnout for last Friday's event. He shared readings from scripture and prayer while reflecting on the significant changes which have affected the Cross of Peace over the past 24 months.

He recalled how "the cross was in complete disrepair" just two years ago. Lawsuits and countersuits surrounded the landmark. The cross was the focus of "a lot of bad news." The situation, McKeown said, was "just really heartbreaking."

Since then, the situation has changed dramatically. That change can be seen in the cross itself, which has been the focus of a restoration effort which cost about $560,000. The work is completely paid for, McKeown noted.

Project manager Ron Stork noted that the restoration work has received "phenomenal support" in terms of in-kind donations. Stork estimated that close to $200,000 in such donations had been made.

McKeown credited the restoration of the cross to a "group of people who never lost faith."

He recognized the members of the Friends of the Cross organization who have worked for the past several yearto raise the money needed to repair and restore the landmark. Several members of the organization were present Friday and were applauded by those at the event.

McKeown also recognized project manager Stork of JMS Metals in Sparta. "We need to give honor to Ron Stork and JMS Metals," McKeown said.

Together, McKeown and project manager Ron Stork unveiled plans for the development of a courtyard at the base of the Cross of Peace.

The courtyard will feature engraved paver bricks and landscaping to enhance the setting.

Two options are available for the purchase of the paver bricks:

Option 1: For a $125 donation, a personal message of your choosing (maximum of 3 lines with 12 characters on each line) will be engraved on one of the pavers of the forthcoming courtyard that will be installed at the base of the Cross upon completion. As part of this program, your name, as sponsor of that paver, will be entered in the Bald Knob Cross of Peace Commemorative Paver Registry in the visitor’s center.

Option 2: For a $250 donation, the paver size will be doubled along with the line and letter allowance.

An account has been set up at Farmers State Bank in Alto Pass for the purchase of the paver bricks.

Information about the purchase of the paver bricks is available on the Internet at <a href="http://www.baldknobcross.com">www.baldknobcross.com</a>.

McKeown also announced the names of those who will be seated to replace the transitional board of directors which has been governing the cross.

The new board members are slated to be:

Pam Collins of DeSoto. Helen Holderfield of Alto Pass. Carol Nebughr of Cobden. Donald Wayman (D.W.) Presley of Carbondale. Ron Stork of Sparta.

David Williams of Johnston City. Janet S. Witmer of Pinckneyville. Gerald Wright of Pinckneyville. And, either Don Laster of Jonesboro or Ted A. Williams of Murphysboro.

The new governing body will replace the transitional board of directors, which will dissolve.

McKeown briefly addressed a lawsuit which has been filed by a Chicago area atheist over the awarding of state funds for the benefit of the cross's restoration.

"Any time you're getting taken to task by an atheist, you must be doing a good thing," he said. McKeown said the lawsuit actually had been good for the cross, because the legal action generated more donations for the restoration work.

In reflecting on the situation surrounding the cross today, when compared to what was happening 24 months ago, McKeown said: "It's all good news. And I want to thank God for that."

"Peace has returned to Bald Knob Cross. Thanks be to God," he said, to the sound of applause.

"We have witnessed nothing short of a miracle in what God has done."


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