Alto Pass in Union County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
"Funding the Cross"
Photographed by Thomas Smith, September 25, 2025
1. "Funding the Cross" Marker
In the late 1940s, Wayman Presley set up a three-year campaign to purchase Bald Knob Mountain, which in 1948 cost about $250,000. Through this campaign, 116 individuals from 34 counties and 5 states each committed $100 towards the purchase. These became the first members of the new not-for-profit organization, Bald Knob Christian Foundation, Inc. Presley and two others were able to secure a $10,000 loan through the Bank of Marion in Illinois as another source of revenue. By 1953, there were enough funds to begin the construction of what would become the then largest Cross located in the western hemisphere.
This project found national support on two occasions. The first came in 1954 from the President of the General Federation of Women's Club, Mrs. Theo. S. Chapman, who assisted in a national fundraising campaign for the Cross. The second occurred in 1955, when Wayman Presley appeared on Ralph Edward's famous television program, "This is Your Life. While on the show, Presley discussed plans for building the Cross and encouraged contributions. From this appearance, individuals of different denominations and backgrounds, from across the globe, began sending in donations, and roughly $100,000 was collected for the construction effort.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music
this page online
Location. 37° 33.132′ N, 89° 20.799′ W. Marker is in Alto Pass, Illinois, in Union County. It is on Bald Knob Road 5 miles west of Chestnut Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3735 Bald Knob Rd, Alto Pass IL 62905, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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); "The Symbol" (here, next to this marker); "Building the Cross" (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. "Funding 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 58 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 24, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. 2. submitted on October 25, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
