COLUMBUS, Ind. — An aluminum cross on top of the former North Christian Church’s 192-foot spire was removed on Tuesday morning as some curious onlookers gathered to watch nearby.
Bartholomew County Public Library Director Jason Hatton had said the cross would be removed Tuesday after the library agreed to take ownership of the building to use the space for expanded library programs.
The cross, which was easily carried by workers when it reached the ground, is being donated to Camp Bedford in Lawrence County, a retreat facility of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination.
The cross is being relocated to a picturesque bluff overlooking the East Fork White river near the wooded vespers trail, according to Chuck Blair, Bedford Camp and Conference Center manager.
“The cross will serve as a source of inspiration for the many visitors to the camp who seek solitude and introspection along the trail,” he said.
The spire is being topped by a lead-coated copper cap to protect it from the elements, Hatton said.
Hatton said earlier that part of the agreement to transfer ownership of the North Christian property to the library was that the former congregation’s governing body retained ownership of the cross if it was removed. The governing body of the congregation agreed to donate the cross to the camp.
Crane operators test raise a basket in the air as contractors prepare to remove the cross from atop the spire of North Christian Church in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Contractors were onsite to remove the cross from the spire of the church in preparation for the building to become the north branch of the Bartholomew Public Library system.
Contractors prepare to remove the cross from atop the spire of North Christian Church in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Contractors were onsite to remove the cross from the spire of the church in preparation for the building to become the north branch of the Bartholomew Public Library system.
Contractors prepare to remove the cross from atop the spire of North Christian Church in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Contractors were onsite to remove the cross from the spire of the church in preparation for the building to become the north branch of the Bartholomew Public Library system.
Matt Gilmore, from Taylor Brothers, holds the cross from the spire of North Christian Church in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Contractors were onsite to remove the cross from the spire of the church in preparation for the building to become the north branch of the Bartholomew Public Library system.
Matt Gilmore, center, from Taylor Brothers, holds the cross from the spire of North Christian Church in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Contractors were onsite to remove the cross from the spire of the church in preparation for the building to become the north branch of the Bartholomew Public Library system.
Chuck Neideffer from Taylor Brothers, carries the cross from the spire of North Christian Church in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Contractors were onsite to remove the cross from the spire of the church in preparation for the building to become the north branch of the Bartholomew Public Library system.
Chuck Neideffer from Taylor Brothers, shows the cross from the spire of North Christian Church to a group of spectators in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Contractors were onsite to remove the cross from the spire of the church in preparation for the building to become the north branch of the Bartholomew Public Library system.
A view of North Christian Church without the cross atop the spire in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Contractors were onsite to remove the cross from the spire of the church in preparation for the building to become the north branch of the Bartholomew Public Library system.
A view of North Christian Church without the cross atop the spire in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Contractors were onsite to remove the cross from the spire of the church in preparation for the building to become the north branch of the Bartholomew Public Library system.
