I thought as it was Easter I'd post a photo of a bunny or a chick or even an Easter Egg. Unfortunately I don't have photos of such things. Then I had this niggling thought that there was also some religious connection with today. So, on the off chance that my suspicions are true I will post a cross or two - hell, I'd hate to get it wrong!
Located near the bluffs at Alto Pass, one can find the sign to Bald Knob at the end of the town.
It locates one of North America's largest Christian monuments. Being twenty-two square feet at
the base, sixteen square feet on the top, one hundred eleven feet tall, and sixty-three feet across,
Bald Knob Cross is one of southern Illinois' finest works of architecture. The cross is made of
porcelain steel panels and is engineered to withstand winds up to one-hundred-fifty miles per
hour.
The history of the Bald Knob Cross is said to be a miracle by some people. In 1936 Rev.
William Lirely and postman Wayman Presley began first discussing an ideal spot for an Easter
sunrise service when both agreed that Bald Knob, the tallest point around, would be the best
spot. The very next year they held their first Easter service there, and, as it became an annual
tradition to which more and more people showed up, Wayman Presley started to develop a new
dream. In 1938 the first wooden cross had been put up on Bald Knob. By 1945 all three wooden
crosses had been put on display, but Presley wanted to build a permanent cross on site as well.
By the early 1950s the land had been purchased and Presley was raising funds for the
proposed cross and designing the cross.
Finally with enough money to be able to support the cross, the ground on Bald Knob was
broken March 30, 1959. The cross was not finished until 1963 and a decade later a Save the
Cross Committee was formed. A few years later, in 1976, the Cross of Peace Foundation was
also organized.
If you have an interest in the crosses proximity to this, that and the other then here is an ariel view of the area.
Don't go to church on Sunday
Don't get on my knees to pray
Don't memorize the books of the Bible
I got my own special way
Bit I know Jesus loves me
Maybe just a little bit more
I fall on my knees every Sunday
At Zerelda Lee's candy store
Well it's got to be a chocolate Jesus
Make me feel good inside
Got to be a chocolate Jesus
Keep me satisfied
Well I don't want no Abba Zabba
Don't want no Almond Joy
There ain't nothing better
Suitable for this boy
Well it's the only thing
That can pick me up
Better than a cup of gold
See only a chocolate Jesus
Can satisfy my soul
When the weather gets rough
And it's whiskey in the shade
It's best to wrap your savior
Up in cellophane
He flows like the big muddy
But that's ok
Pour him over ice cream
For a nice parfait
Well it's got to be a chocolate Jesus
Good enough for me
Got to be a chocolate Jesus
Good enough for me
Well it's got to be a chocolate Jesus
Make me feel good inside
Got to be a chocolate Jesus
Keep me satisfied
Listening to: "Chocolate Jesus" (Mule Variations) - Tom Waits
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