mockup of upper valley cross sitting on hill
The 70-foot cross would sit on private land overlooking Leavenworth. The above is an artistic interpretation.

A planned 70-foot LED-lit Christian cross is igniting debate in a Christmas-themed tourist town nestled in the mountains of Washington state. The controversial cross is dividing the sleepy small town, with proponents arguing they have a right to express their faith, while those against the cross say erecting a massive, glowing cross is not only illegal, but could turn off tourists given its unsavory associations with the Ku Klux Klan. 

Are cross naysayers simply being scrooges, or do they have a point?

The Upper Valley Cross

Leavenworth, Washington is a popular tourist destination in Washington state’s Cascade Mountains. The small town, with a population of just over 2,000 people, is modeled after a German Bavarian village. Building codes are strictly regulated to fit the town’s theme, as much of the local economy is based on tourism from Seattle, Portland, and beyond, particularly during the autumn and winter months, where thousands pour in to celebrate Oktoberfest and the holiday season in this quaint, cozy village.

But many locals are concerned that the Upper Valley Cross, a 70-foot glowing cross being built just on the outskirts of town may negatively impact the city’s tourism industry - and others wonder if such a display - built on a private 20-acre land zoned for logging - is even legal.

A Town Divided

Though it’s only a partially built tower now, when lit at night, the finished cross will be visible from almost anywhere in town. For many cross opponents, their concerns are purely practical. The cross “is, like, directly above our backyard,” said one resident against the cross construction. Most locals, he argues, “would rather not have to look at it every day.” 

One resident pointed out the “unintended associations” of a massive, glowing cross overlooking the town, drawing comparisons to burning crosses used by the Ku Klux Klan to intimidate African-Americans. Even if that is not the intention, they say, it's an easy association to make - whether cross advocates like it or not.

Others wondered why the cross is needed at all. “We love Jesus, we love the cross,” stated Faith Lutheran Church Rev. Barbara Rossing, “we just don’t need it up on a mountain, illuminated.”

Putting God First?

Proponents of the cross say that it’s time for Christians to take back their town.

“Christians need to stand up and represent for their faith,” said Harry Hansen, who has become the cross’ unofficial “spokesman” in the town. “Instead of putting God first… we now are putting a lot of emphasis on DEI, to where right is wrong and wrong is right,” he explained. “So we thought it was time to stand up for what we believe in.”

Considering the divisive nature of the cross, local politicians are trying to ruffle as few feathers as possible and are taking a “by the books” approach of looking strictly at zoning laws when determining the cross’ legality. 

The city is considering a formal resolution against the cross, highlighting their opposition to “nonconforming or unpermitted lighted signs, towers, structures, and flagpoles…on and/or below the ridgelines and mountains visible from the City of Leavenworth.”

The cross, local politicians say, is a sign, and thus subject to a zoned building height of 35 feet - which also restricts illumination.

It’s currently unclear whether the cross will complete construction, but for many in Leavenworth, the fight is a homegrown version of conversations about Christian representation - and perceived repression - happening nationally. 

What do you think of this 70-foot cross potentially overlooking this small Washington town? Do property owners have a right to religious expression, no matter how impactful it may be on their community? And if so, where is the line?

9 comments

  1. Michael Howard Schrader's Avatar Michael Howard Schrader

    How about a 70' LED "For all your lumber needs, shop Cross Hardware!" on the adjoining property?

  1. Reverend Paula Copp's Avatar Reverend Paula Copp

    70 feet tall with LED lighting? So you can show your devotion to a dude you’d lock up in a heartbeat if he ever showed his face? Yeah, ok… not just a little garish, is it? 🙄

  1. Paul Johnson's Avatar Paul Johnson

    Leave it to the devil he will guide you if you want confusion. Follow Jesus lead in the wilderness, not Eves lead in the garden. Not surprising to see somekind of Racist remark if given enough time it will be Trumps fault. Listen to God and not the devil. just take a peek at what is going on in Massachusetts no different than Sodom and Gomorrah once the devil has a foot hold be on guard he hates to loose.

  1. Wilberta M. Berry's Avatar Wilberta M. Berry

    The 98 feet (30) meter of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro hasn't stop the inhumane treatment of the poor, mixed race and children living there. Yet they do pretend to be a Christian conscience country. And it does serve as a tourist spot for people around the world so what difference does it make. The Bible specifically says not to erect or worship idols of any kind. That cross will just serve as another testimony to the absurdity of how deeply man's Anthropomorphism is. It's a fake jester of Christianity since God is supposed to live in the hearts of man. As Jesus said one's relationship to God is personal and private.

  1. Najah P Tamargo's Avatar Najah P Tamargo

    Najah Tamargo-USA

    I support people who want to loyal to their faith. But that is a bit much!!! Especially since these towns, like Solvang CA, where they DEPEND on tourism. But do it right....use the city codes to shut it down. If the owner wants to put up an illuminated cross, put it in his/her backyard!

  1. Daniel Todd Kamm's Avatar Daniel Todd Kamm

    A narcissistic and gaudy idol, and a very poor showing of "faith." They are simply pushing the envelope for reactions, more actions, and frivolous lawsuits down the line. These glam people need to "render unto Caesar...and g-d" and remember to keep personal faith and practices to themselves (private) and at home (as opposed to stadiums, churches, temples, political rallies and half-time shows. They would also be wise to remember what an idol is, and since they are so invested in the Ten Commandments being imposed on everyone else, the big # 1.

    The rest of it is snake-oil sales.

    Peace and Out...tk

  1. Robert Hauck, MD, FAAP's Avatar Robert Hauck, MD, FAAP

    Leavenworth is not "a Christian community" and the U.S. is not "a Christian nation." We welcome the practice of many religions in our country including --- but not favoring --- Christianity. The display of a blatantly religious symbol, the tall lighted cross, contradicts our nation's principles of inclusion and tolerance and should not be imposed upon the small city of Leavenworth.

    1. Paul Johnson's Avatar Paul Johnson

      If God hasn't had is hand in the founding fathers of America why was all documents bent around a Godly principle?

    2. Travis's Avatar Travis

      “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

      “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.…”

      “…Nature’s God…”, “…endowed by their Creator…”

      Sure sounds like a nation founded on Christian principle, to me.

      “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness…” Seems to me as if the Founding Fathers intended that the government “ shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech…”

      If in the pursuit of Happiness, American citizens wanted the freedom to express their religion, then they should be allowed the Liberty to do so.

      Darwinists, gays, lesbians, Satanists, Marxists, transgendered people, environmentalists, and any number of other religious cultists abuse their freedoms to shove their ideologies down our throats, every day. It’s only right that Christian’s be afforded that Liberty, as well.

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