It took two hours, maybe more, in the middle of a hot day.
But up went a monumental cross on the northwest side of the U.S. 82-49 intersection while a crowd, mostly observing from inside 50 to 60 parked vehicles running air conditioners, looked on. The crowd started arriving about 11:30 a.m. Monday.
The Delta Cross lies on its side at its location at the U.S. 82-49 intersection. A crane was driven from Greenville to lift it into position Monday.
Mostly, onlookers didn’t mind watching and waiting. They wanted to see a crew from Rozier Construction Co., in the words of a popular hymn, “Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, till all the world adore his sacred name.”
After the 45,000-pound cross was raised and a group of panels were installed, crew members formed a circle and prayed. Then they set about positioning the cross into a base that looks like a capsule. Men on the ground and in a bucket truck carefully — foot by foot, inch by inch — positioned the cross and lowered it into the base.
The cross, which stands 12 stories and weighs about 45,000 pounds, is raised early Monday afternoon.
For many in the crowd, the sight was celebratory. They imagined the effect it would have on others.
Veronica Goldwater, who was visiting from Detroit by way of Grenada, said, “This is a one-of-a-kind thing for Greenwood.”
John Goldwater, who was active in raising a similar cross in Grenada, explained that huge crosses have now been placed in Batesville, Greenwood, Grenada, Winona, Eupora and Florence.
From above, they together form the design of a cross. Veronica said she can imagine the effect it might have: “Our families can look down from Heaven, and they will see it.”
Two men in a bucket truck and others on the ground guide the cross into position.
Renee Rozier, the sister-in-law of Mike Rozier, said she brought her grandsons, Will, 8, and Jackson, 12, along so they would remember watching the installation.
“When they get married and have children, they can take them out here and say they saw the cross being raised,” Rozier said.
The Rev. Dr. Jim Phillips, chief organizer of the project, said recently that the budget for the first phase is about $200,000.
This includes laying a large concrete slab, benches, garbage receptacles and planters.
Eventually, there will be an access road and a 10-vehicle parking lot, he said.
- Contact Susan Montgomery at 581-7241 or smontgomery@gwcommonwealth.com.
