CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The idea for the Corpus Christi cross first came to life four and a half years ago. though it's faced some delays, the project is still making headway.
"We hope to have cross within the next twelve months in the air, and it may take three to five years and it may not, it depends if we're successful raising money to the project and as quickly as the money comes in we will continue the project," says Rick Milby, project manager of the Corpus Christi Cross.
The original plans were for the cross to be one hundred and fifty feet tall. but as their goals grew bigger, so did the timeline.
"One of my staff members asked 'What is the tallest cross in the world?' and I said Madrid, Spain it's 494 feet, then they asked what's the second tallest cross and I said Augusta, Florida and it's 208 feet, so we were just 35 from being the second tallest cross in the world," said Milby.
In order to build the second tallest cross in the world, they increased the plan into a 230-foot cross.
The foundation for the cross is already complete. and there are already 70 tons of concrete laid down, and it goes 60 feet deep. Originally the cross was supposed to be finished around April, but now it's looking like it'll be finished next December.
In order to avoid debt, the team buys the parts in full as donations come in from all across the nation, and all walks of life, christian and atheists alike.
In order to avoid debt, the team buys the parts in full as donations come in from all across the nation, and all walks of life, christian and atheists alike.
"One of them wrote and said his wife is a christian and said though he doesn't believe in it, he believes in what we're doing and says he did it in honor of his wife." said Milby.
The light that will be placed on top of the cross shines 1500 high, and is also currently in place on the foundation, until the cross is built.
