A giant white cross rises above the Texas plains, tall enough to catch your eye long before the exit. Up close, it stands 190 feet high, with life-size bronze sculptures spread around its base.
This isn’t something you could mistake for an ordinary roadside sign.
The idea came from a local man who wanted travelers to encounter a message of faith along the highway. More than 100 welders helped build the steel structure, which went up in 1995.
Today, a walkway leads past scenes from the Bible, and visitors can explore a visitor center.
What amazes me most is the scale of the project. One person’s idea turned into a landmark visible from miles away, yet the details at ground level invite you to slow down.
It’s an unexpected stop with a surprisingly personal origin.
That Towering Shape On The Horizon Is Exactly What You Think It Is
Flat land makes tall things look even taller. Out on the Texas Panhandle, the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ Ministries proves that point in a big way.
The main attraction is a stainless steel cross standing 190 feet tall. It weighs about 2.5 million pounds, or roughly 1,250 tons.
Drivers can see it from as far as 20 miles away. That gives you plenty of time to decide whether you’re stopping.
Spoiler alert, most curious people do.
Many folks call it the Groom Cross or simply the Big Cross. Both nicknames are honest, though the second one feels like an understatement.
You may hear rumors that it’s the largest cross in the Western Hemisphere. That claim doesn’t quite hold up, and the real story is more fun anyway.
It ranks as the second-tallest cross in the United States. The tallest stands in Effingham, Illinois, at 198 feet.
Here’s the twist. That Illinois cross was actually inspired by this one in Texas.
So the Groom Cross lost the height contest to its own fan. I think that’s a pretty great piece of trivia for a road trip conversation.
Either way, standing at its base and looking straight up is a neck workout worth doing.
An Oilman Dreamed Big And Then Built Even Bigger
Steve Thomas didn’t set out to build something modest. The oil and gas businessman from Pampa, Texas, wanted to do big things for his faith.
He was inspired by a smaller cross he had seen. His idea grew into what he thought of as a spiritual billboard along the highway.
Construction wrapped up in 1995 after about eight months of work. More than 100 welders built the pieces back in Pampa.
Then came the moving day to end all moving days. Seven flatbed trucks carried the giant parts to Groom for assembly.
Picture that convoy rolling down a Panhandle road. Every driver who passed it must have wondered what on earth was being delivered.
The design also borrows from Thomas’s career. Its shape was influenced by oil drilling rig masts, which fit right in with this part of Texas.
I love that detail. The cross speaks the local language of steel, wind, and wide-open land.
Thomas still leads the ministry as its president. Tax filings from 2025 list his compensation as zero dollars.
That tells you a lot about the project. It’s a labor of faith, not a money-making roadside stunt, and that sincerity shows everywhere on the grounds.
Fourteen Bronze Stops Turn A Short Walk Into A Moving Story
Right around the base of the giant cross, the experience shifts from jaw-dropping to deeply personal. Fourteen life-sized bronze sculptures circle the area.
Together they show the Stations of the Cross. Each scene follows Jesus on his journey to the crucifixion.
The figures are full size, which changes everything. You aren’t looking at tiny models behind glass.
Instead, you walk beside the story at human scale. The faces, poses, and folds of clothing are right there at eye level.
The path works like a timeline you move through on foot. It’s a great way to stretch road-weary legs while taking in something meaningful.
Take your time with each station. Rushing through would be like skimming the last chapter of a good book.
Families can use the stations to talk about the story together. Kids often understand a scene better when it’s standing right in front of them.
Even people who don’t consider themselves religious can appreciate the craftsmanship. The bronze work alone is a serious artistic achievement.
Plan for a slow loop here. The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ Ministries clearly designed this walk for reflection, not speed.
Save A Seat For The Last Supper And A Peek At The Empty Tomb
A dinner table set for thirteen sits outdoors in the Texas sun. It’s a life-sized bronze replica of The Last Supper.
The scene recreates the famous gathering of Jesus and his disciples. Seeing it in full size feels very different from viewing a painting in a book.
You can walk around it and notice details from different angles. Each figure seems caught in the middle of a moment.
Not far away waits another powerful stop. The Empty Tomb exhibit portrays the Resurrection.
It’s a fitting follow-up to the Stations of the Cross. The story doesn’t end at the crucifixion, and the grounds make sure visitors see that.
The tomb sits just off to the side of the main walkway. It’s easy to find but still feels a little set apart.
I like how the layout builds a full story. You move from sorrow to hope without needing a single sign to explain it.
Bring a camera, but also give yourself a minute without it. Some scenes land better when you simply stand there.
Between the table and the tomb, this corner of the campus might be the one you remember longest.
Ten Acres Hold Far More Than One Giant Landmark
Plenty of travelers expect a big cross and a quick photo. The campus actually stretches across about 10 acres, and it keeps going.
A bronze statue of St. Michael the Archangel stands on the grounds. A monument also displays the Ten Commandments on Mt.
Sinai marble.
Then there’s the Divine Mercy Fountain. Water and stone add a calm, soothing touch to the wide-open setting.
You’ll also find the Memorial for the Innocent Unborn. It’s one of several dedicated structures spread across the property.
Various religious art pieces and paintings appear throughout the site. Each one adds another layer to the overall experience.
My advice is simple. Don’t treat this as a five-minute stop if you can spare more time.
Wear comfortable shoes, especially on a hot Panhandle afternoon. A hat and water bottle won’t hurt either.
Walking the whole campus helps you see how much thought went into it. Every corner seems placed with care and purpose.
The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ Ministries started with one huge idea. Over time, it grew into a full outdoor sanctuary that rewards anyone willing to wander.
A Famous Shroud Replica Waits Inside Its Own Display
One of the most talked-about pieces here is a replica of the Shroud of Turin. The original is one of history’s most famous and debated religious relics.
The Groom display pairs the replica with a video. That helps explain the shroud’s background and why it fascinates so many people.
History buffs will enjoy this stop as much as the faithful. The shroud has sparked questions and research for centuries.
Seeing a full-size version puts that debate in perspective. Its size and detail are hard to grasp from a small photo online.
Here’s a practical tip. The shroud display may close during bad weather.
When that happens, you can sometimes still view it through the windows. A clear day gives you the best shot at seeing it up close.
Panhandle weather can change quickly, so keep that in mind. Wind and storms are part of life out here.
I think this exhibit adds a thoughtful, almost museum-like element to the visit. It balances the outdoor sculptures with something quieter and more reflective.
Give yourself time for the video. It turns a curious artifact into a story you’ll keep thinking about down the highway.
Souvenir Hunters Will Find Plenty To Love In The Gift Shop
After all that walking, the visitor center makes a welcome stop. Inside you’ll find a chapel, a gift shop, and clean restrooms.
The gift shop is a big one. Shelves hold religious books, wall decor, holiday ornaments, and nativity sets.
It’s a great place to pick up a meaningful keepsake. Something from here will mean more than a random keychain from a gas station.
Route 66 fans can look for a collectible coin, too. It’s a fun little prize for anyone tracking their journey along the historic road.
The chapel offers a quiet space for prayer or reflection. Sometimes a few silent minutes indoors are exactly what a long drive needs.
The campus also includes offices, a counseling center, a theater, and an amphitheater. Clearly this ministry does far more than greet travelers.
Shop hours can vary by day and season. Checking current hours before you go is a smart move.
The good news is the grounds themselves stay open around the clock. Admission is free, and donations are welcome.
So even if you arrive after the shop closes, the cross and sculptures still wait for you under the lights.
Exit 112 Puts This Route 66 Stop Right On Your Path
Getting here couldn’t be much easier. The cross sits right off Interstate 40 at Exit 112.
The full address is 112 I-40, Groom, TX 79039. Groom is a small town in Carson County.
It’s about 42 to 45 miles east of Amarillo. That makes it a natural break on a cross-country drive.
The site also sits along historic Route 66. Fans of the Mother Road often add it to their list of must-see stops.
Millions of travelers pass this way each year. A big number stop long enough to sign the guest book.
Parking is roomy, with space for trucks, RVs, and family cars. You won’t need to circle around hunting for a spot.
The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ Ministries welcomes both believers and the simply curious. No ticket, no reservation, and no admission fee are needed.
Plan at least an hour if you want to see everything. The cross, sculptures, tomb, shroud display, and shop deserve more than a quick glance.
So next time Texas stretches out ahead of you, watch for that steel giant on the horizon. Your exit will be waiting.
