Stephanie Croston

    Although it's 35 feet tall and weighs 2,500 pounds, you can't see it from the street, nor does it dominate the skyline.
     It's set back from Second Street about a half a block and hidden behind fullgrown trees west of Faith Lutheran Church. But when it comes into view, the 35-foot tall steel cross can't be missed.
     The cross is in memory of Debra Hartmann, a former member of Faith Lutheran Church who died at age 46. Her husband, Andy, said he wasn't sure what to do with her memorial money, but after some consideration, decided that she would like this.
     "She was really into the concept," he said.
     The cross will be the centerpiece of a prayer garden located on the west lawn of Faith Lutheran Church. When it is finished, the garden will include a labyrinth, benches, a paved walk and a gazebo.
     The garden was designed by church member Fred Hefner as part of a class project.
     Hartmann said he had thought about using the money for the gazebo but realized it wouldn't quite be enough. He chose the cross instead.
     "Someone had to start," he said. "It was something she would enjoy."
     Hughes Brothers of Seward built the cross, which was delivered to the church about a month ago, Hartmann said. It was installed Oct. 9 with help from the Seward County Public Power District, which loaned the church a crane to help set the cross in place.
     Steve Smith of Hughes Brothers said the cross is made of self-weathering steel. The steel will develop a patina or a rust covering that will protect it in the future, he said.
     "It's pretty popular," he said.
     This is the first time Hughes Brothers has built a cross, he said.
     "It came as an idea, and our engineers finished it," Smith said. "We hadn't made a cross before."
     The company has built bridges and shelters for various locations around Seward, as well as refurbishing the benches at the bandshell on a regular basis.
     In the future, a flower box will be built at the base of the cross, which is something else Deb would have liked, Hartmann said.
     "My wife loved flowers," he said.
     The Rev. Jim Miller, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church, said the garden is a gift to the community. Anyone will be able to use it for prayer or meditation. It will also be available for weddings once the gazebo is installed, he said.