Alto Pass in Union County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
"Building the Cross"
Faith Hope Charity Peace
Photographed by Thomas Smith, September 25, 2025
1. "Building the Cross" Marker
With more funds in hand, Wayman Presley and W.H. Lirely were able to employ St. Louis, Missouri architect, and South African native, Henry Rush, to be the one to oversee the design and construction of the Cross. By the spring of 1959, the base and the steel framework for the Cross were installed and completed. That same spring, the formal groundbreaking ceremony was held in conjunction with the 22nd Easter Service on Sunday, March 29, 1959.
At this ceremony, there were individuals from varying demographic and economic groups who all came together, with shovels in hand, to "break ground" and begin the process of building the Cross. The Cross would not officially be completed for another five years in 1963, when the frame was covered with over 900 heavy-gauge steel panels with a bright white porcelain veneer, and illuminated with 40,000 watts of lighting. People from all over the United States and the world would come to see this spectacular sight.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is March 29, 1959.
Location. 37° 33.132′ N, 89° 20.8′ W. Marker is in Alto Pass, Illinois, in Union County. It is on Bald Knob Road 5 miles west of Chestnut
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Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois Little Egypt and in Shawnee Hills. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: "The Cross in the New Millennium" (here, next to this marker); "The Pig Lady and the Cross" (here, next to this marker); "The Beginning of the Cross" (here, next to this marker); "Funding the Cross" (here, next to this marker); "The Symbol" (here, next to this marker); In Memory of Wayland R. Presley (within shouting distance of this marker); Rendleman Orchards Historic District (approx. 3.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alto Pass.
Photographed by Thomas Smith, September 25, 2025
2. "Building the Cross" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 46 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 24, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
