Frankenmuth: Hands off our 55-foot cross in park - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Frankenmuth: Hands off our 55-foot cross in park

Posted: Updated:
FRANKENMUTH, Mich. -

FRANKENMUTH, Mich. (AP) - A Michigan city is telling critics that it won't remove a 55-foot cross from a public park.

Frankenmuth, a popular tourist destination, says the cross was erected to celebrate the bicentennial of the United States in 1976. Attorney Richard Thompson says the cross also celebrates Frankenmuth's own history and culture.

Mlive.com (bit.ly/R13hvE) says Frankenmuth asked Thompson and the Thomas More Law Center to respond to a Washington group, Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The group says the cross is an illegal public endorsement of religion.

The church-state group says it's disappointed but not surprised by Frankenmuth's response. It will file a lawsuit if a resident steps forward to be the plaintiff.

  • Top Stories

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:53 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:53:28 GMT
    Three young brothers who have been missing the more than two years were featured on national TV Wednesday night. Former "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh profiled the case of Andrew, Alexander and
    Three young brothers who have been missing for more than two years were featured on national TV Wednesday night. Former "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh profiled the case of Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton.
  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:07 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:07:48 GMT
    Noise on a neighborhood restaurant patio is at the center of some controversy in Perrysburg.
    Noise on a neighborhood restaurant patio is at the center of some controversy in Perrysburg.
  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:44 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:44:14 GMT
    LOS ANGELES (AP) - HBO and James Gandolfini's managers say the actor famous for his role in "The Sopranos" has died in Italy. The cable channel, and managers Mark Armstrong and Nancy Sanders, say the
    James Gandolfini, whose portrayal of a brutal, emotionally delicate mob boss in HBO's "The Sopranos" helped create one of TV's greatest drama series and turned the mobster stereotype on its head, died Wednesday in Italy. He was 51.

Area Events Calendar

See It, Shoot It, Send It!