Groom Texas

April 2017 -Groom TX

We have passed this cross several times and just thought, yeah big cross. But this time we were sort of meandering on our drive from Amarillo TX to Fort Smith AR and John suggested we stop.

 

It is a 19-story cross located next to Interstate 40 (Route 66) just northwest of the town limits. This 190-foot-tall (58 m) free-standing cross can be seen from 20 miles (32 km) away.

 

What a surprise!

What originally was going to be a large spiritual billboard, transformed into a 19-story, 2 ½ million pound, steel cross. Construction of the cross frame was completed in two shops in Pampa, Texas. It took eight months for the cross to be built, and more than 100 welders worked on it. After much prayer and planning the Cross was erected in July of 1995.

The Groom Cross -- officially named "The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ"

The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ Ministries is not affiliated with any church and therefore has no set congregation. However, the Cross continues to minister to the millions of souls from all around the world that drives by it every year.

Entrance is free, but it would certainly be worth paying for. 

We paid $18 each to see the Meteor Crater which was definitely not worth the price.

Surrounding the base of the cross are life-sized statues of the 14 Stations of the Cross.


Click here to read more about the building of the cross.

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These are so lifelike it is stunning. 

Some detail

A bronze Last Supper features Jesus breaking bread facing the Cross. Behind him, stairs ascend a man-made Cavalry hill, where a sign reveals that you are now 3,300 feet above sea level (Many Christians believe that Jesus was 33 years old when he was crucified).


There are looking for sponsors to fund the completion of the remaining apostles.

Such commitment, John getting a shot for me.

The gift shop and restrooms were built around the Divine Mercy Fountain, with yet another Christ statue; its plaque celebrates, "the blood and water which gushed forth from the heart of Jesus."

What else is there to see in Groom? Nothing other than this water tower, labeled “Britten USA” has never been a working tower at this location. According to Wikipedia, the water tower was slated for demolition when it was purchased by Ralph Britten and moved to its current location. In Groom, it served as a sign for Britten’s truck stop and tourist center. The truck stop is no longer open but the water tower remains a popular stop along the highway,


Just another quirky find on Route 66!