Palm Desert church works to get lights back on for iconic hillside cross
A nighttime shot from the parking lot of St. Margaret's church in Palm Desert would normally show the cross on top of the hill, illuminated and visible from most locations on the valley floor.
But on one recent night, only flashlights from hikers out on the trail were visible.
"So many people hike up to the cross and enjoy the moment overlooking the valley," said Debby Jansma, Administrator at St. Margaret's Church in Palm Desert.
Jansma says it's "shorts" in the old wiring and some of the fixtures on the cross that have been preventing the lights on the cross from working for about the the past month.
When the lights are working, it's hard to miss the cross.
For some people it's an iconic desert landmark.
For others it's a symbol of their faith.
"It represents Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins. His love for us," said desert visitor Vince Robertson.
Janzma says the church, which owns the cross, has ordered replacement wiring and other components for the lights
They're now waiting for delivery.
At a cost of about $5,000, they took to social media and the church website appealing for donations.
They've hit their fundraising goal.
"Given the generous nature of the people of the Coachella Valley they can do whatever they set their minds to do," said desert resident Kent Milani.
Janzma says the church has to complete a bigger and more expensive project on the cross.
That's replacing the aging underground wiring which runs from the base of the hill to the cross.
The church is waiting for the bid on that project, which the administrator expects to cost quite a bit more than what they're spending to repair the lights.
St. Margaret's is appealing for financial support for that as well.
With the lights off, Jansma says she's taking nearly a dozen calls a day.
"Usually the first words are the cross is dark, what happened? Or, home come you turned the lights off?" said Jansma.
Jansen says once the replacement parts arrive it will take an electrician a day or two to get them installed.
To support the church's efforts to raise funds to repair the underground wiring, use the link below to access the church's website.
LINK:
Church website:
Donation link:
