It means a lot, to a lot of people.
But to Jim and Doris Studer, the enormous 100-foot cross that stands tall over the town means everything
"We built it as a thank you for all the good things that have happened to us since we've been in Ballinger," Jim Studer said.
Seen from miles around, the Cross was erected in 1993. Instead of being a modest 40-feet tall as planned, Jim Studer said a close call with death led to it's current height.
"I felt like surely I could have been killed and in all honestly, I looked up and said...'God, I owe you another 60 feet!'" Studer laughed.
Under the Cross' roof are photos of religious figures, fresh flowers and a guest book that is always filled.
"I've got a two-foot tall stack of books from over the years that people have filled with their names and prayers from all over the country," Studer said.
From high on the hill, Buddy's Plants Plus -- Studer's company and the reason the family settled in Ballinger -- is clearly visible.
"People come here all the time wanting to know about the Cross. The story behind it, how to get to it," said Ballinger resident, Rachel Janssen. "You can see it for miles around."
But it's not just the cross people come to see.
There is also a grotto nearby, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
And then, the memorial remembering the Studers' lost son, killed in a school bus crash at the tender age of eight.
"We pray to him all the time," Studer said. "He helps us out."
It's place of worship, of thought and most of all, of peace.
Studer said he used to lock up the gate to the Cross, but came across a couple years ago who wanted to pray up there at night.
Since then, it's always remained open.
But to Jim and Doris Studer, the enormous 100-foot cross that stands tall over the town means everything
"We built it as a thank you for all the good things that have happened to us since we've been in Ballinger," Jim Studer said.
Seen from miles around, the Cross was erected in 1993. Instead of being a modest 40-feet tall as planned, Jim Studer said a close call with death led to it's current height.
"I felt like surely I could have been killed and in all honestly, I looked up and said...'God, I owe you another 60 feet!'" Studer laughed.
Under the Cross' roof are photos of religious figures, fresh flowers and a guest book that is always filled.
"I've got a two-foot tall stack of books from over the years that people have filled with their names and prayers from all over the country," Studer said.
From high on the hill, Buddy's Plants Plus -- Studer's company and the reason the family settled in Ballinger -- is clearly visible.
"People come here all the time wanting to know about the Cross. The story behind it, how to get to it," said Ballinger resident, Rachel Janssen. "You can see it for miles around."
But it's not just the cross people come to see.
There is also a grotto nearby, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
And then, the memorial remembering the Studers' lost son, killed in a school bus crash at the tender age of eight.
"We pray to him all the time," Studer said. "He helps us out."
It's place of worship, of thought and most of all, of peace.
Studer said he used to lock up the gate to the Cross, but came across a couple years ago who wanted to pray up there at night.
Since then, it's always remained open.
