Donations sought for southern Ill. landmark
Posted March 16, 2009 11:00 pm
ALTO PASS -- Caretakers of an 11-story cross in southern Illinois are asking area churches for donations they say could help cover repairs to the deteriorating landmark.
A transitional board overseeing the Bald Knob Cross of Peace near Alto Pass is seeking a $1 donation from regional churchgoers on Palm Sunday, April 5.
The cross is about 12 miles south of Carbondale. It's a concrete structure covered by white porcelain panels and can be seen for miles.
Easter services there are an annual tradition.
A structural engineer says the cross is salvageable and that much of the restoration work would involve cleaning up rust where steel connectors attach to concrete.