More to Giant Crosses than Visible from the Interstate

We passed the giant Cross at the Crossroads dozens of times over the years. Repeatedly, we commented that on one of our trips we should stop to check out the cross that soars into the sky just off the interstate where I-57 and I-70 intersect at Effingham, Illinois. We finally visited recently following our visit to another giant cross in Groom, Texas, the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, Groom Texas
Knowing we wouldn’t have “dozens of opportunities” to see the cross in Texas, we made a point of getting off I-40 on our recent road trip to Phoenix. The 190-foot cross that’s visible from 20 miles away is impressive in itself. However, there is more to see once you get there.

Cross of Lord Jesus Christ, Groom Texas

Sculptures of the first eleven Stations of the Cross surround the cross. The Stations of the Cross are a series of depictions of Jesus Christ on the day he was put to death, from the time he is condemned to death until he is laid in the tomb.

One of the Stations of the Cross at Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, Groom Texas
Stations of the Cross, Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, Groom Texas

Beyond the cross is a sculpture of the Last Supper, and beyond that are three crosses on Mount Calvary, Jesus nailed to the center one.

Mount Calvary at Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, Groom Texas
Jesus on the cross at Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, Groom Texas

You can walk into the tomb where Jesus was laid and from where he rose.

Tomb at Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, Groom Texas
Inside the tomb at Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, Groom Texas

Be sure to walk up to the gift shop to see the Divine Mercy Fountain.

Divine Mercy Fountain at Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, Groom Texas

Gift shop hours are 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the summer; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the winter. The cross itself is always open.

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Cross at the Crossroads
As we once again neared the Effingham Cross at the Crossroads, we stopped to see it instead of passing by again. At 198 feet, the Cross at the Crossroads is claimed to be the world’s largest.

Cross at the Crossroads, Effingham Illinois

The cross is surrounded by a display of the Ten Commandments inscribed on large tablets.

Ten Commandments at Cross at the Crossroads, Effingham Illinois

The welcome center and chapel, unfortunately, was closed when we visited late on a Monday afternoon, since they were still operating their winter hours.

Welcome center hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the winter.

Although the crosses themselves are impressive sights from the interstate, taking the time to see the accompanying exhibits was worth the detours.

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4 thoughts on “More to Giant Crosses than Visible from the Interstate

  • April 6, 2015 at 4:33 pm
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    What a beautiful symbol of Christianity. This is definitely something worth visiting and hats off to those who built it. Unfortunately, these kind of ‘statements’ are less and less welcomed in our country lately.

    Reply
    • April 6, 2015 at 6:28 pm
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      I agree, Anda. I feel a sense of serenity whenever I pass the one in Effingham (I pass it several times a year), no matter how crazy the traffic is.

      Reply
  • March 28, 2022 at 11:26 am
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    I ride with my truck driving husband. We passed the one in Effingham just now. I look up a lot of things. Told him I was going to look this up. We have seen quite a few in the few mo this I started riding with him. Thank you for these. Wish I had more info on locations.

    Reply
    • March 29, 2022 at 3:05 pm
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      It would be fun to keep track of where you see them. We saw another one not too long ago near a church, but I can’t remember exactly where it was. I wish I would have written it down.

      Reply

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