CENTENNIAL CROSS

CENTENNIAL CROSS. The Centennial Cross was constructed south of Dubuque to commemorate the centennial of the ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE. Some questions remain as to who paid the $2,500 cost of construction. It is believed the KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Council 510, ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE and St. Joseph's Parish each contributed. (1) It is known that the KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Council 510, through monthly dinners and donations, paid for the maintenance of the cross by the Lange Sign Company of East Dubuque, Illinois. (2)

The galvanized steel cross stood seventy-five feet high and the cross piece was 25 feet wide. It was anchored to an 8X8 concrete pedestal and occupied less than 400 square feet of archdiocesan property. In 1963, the Knights of Columbus added turquoise neon lights to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the diocese. Installed by FRANK HARDIE ADVERTISING INC., the combined length of the neon tubes was 246 feet. The lights were turned on by a photo-electric cell. A timer turned the lights off at midnight. (3)

In 2014 the monthly cost of electricity and maintenance for the Cross was $64.00. Funds to pay these costs were raised from prime rib dinners served every third Saturday at the Knights of Columbus Hall. A ten dollar membership in a Key Cross Club membership also was a fundraiser. It was estimated that the cost to upgrade the structure's lighting to LED lights would be $16,000. (4)

Following the article in December 2014, attendance at the fundraiser increased dramatically. In addition, the Knights received donations. One came from the family of Louis R. Hendricks. While an employee of Frank Hardie Advertising Inc., Hendricks created the original neon for the cross and claimed it was one of the three top signs he made in Dubuque. (5)

On December 27, 2023 officials announced that construction was expected to start soon on a new Centennial Cross in Key West. Centennial Cross Inc. and Conlon were partners on the construction of the new and taller "blue cross." Lit on both sides with LED lighting and standing 137 feet tall, the new cross would be so tall and so close to the AIRPORT that it would remain lit all day. (6)

Centennial Cross Incorporated by 2023 had raised more than $250,000 of the $350,000 goal to pay for the construction and cost of future maintenance. The group also announced plans to build a permanent display in MOUNT OLIVET CEMETERY to tell the history of the cross and list individuals and businesses donating $10,000 or more to the project. (7)

Promises made came to pass in 2026 as a re-dedication ceremony was planned by representatives of the Centennial Cross Inc. and the ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE for a ceremony on October 3. Work on the cross was completed by CONLON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY in 2024. When it was learned that the lights were barely visible during daylight hours, the installation of a sensor was planned to turn the lights off a dawn and on again at dusk.

As the land around the tower was privately owned and not accessible to the public, work was then completed on a prayer garden in the northwest corner of nearby Mount Olivet Ceremony.

The project cost of the tower and prayer garden totaled $410,000 funded by a capital campaign. (8)

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Source:

1. "Action Line," Telegraph-Herald, November 24, 1968, p. 21

2. Day, Mike. "Knights Aim to Keep Cross Aglow." Telegraph Herald, December 19, 2014, p. 1A

3. Ibid.

4. Day

5. "Attendance Up for Centennial Cross Fundraiser," Telegraph Herald, January 19, 2015, p. 3A

6. Bond, Maia, "Reconstruction of Iconic Key West Cross Drawing to Close," Telegraph Herald, June 12, 2024, p. 5A

7. "Historic Cross Near Dubuque to be Renovated," KCRG. Online. December 27, 2023

8. Kelsey, Elizabeth, "Symbol of Hope," Telegraph Herald, October 2, 2026, p. 1