Effingham Removes Cross From Mural After Outside Pressure

After pressure from a group that advocates for the removal of religion from public spaces, a south-central Illinois town has painted over part of a mural that depicted a cross that is a well-known landmark for area citizens.

The mural painted on an overpass next to Effingham High School depicts an American flag stretching across a green landscape towards an illuminated cross that resembles “The Cross at the Crossroads” which stands as a landmark along Interstates 57 and 70. The 198-foot tall cross was installed in 2001 by a faith-based group.