As people travel south of Manheim on Route 72, they may notice a symbol of faith towering over a cemetery.

In 1961, a Young Men's Community Cross Committee formed, possibly composed of members of the men's Bible classes from Manheim churches, with a goal of erecting a permanent, lighted cross in Fairview Cemetery, 98 W. Sun Hill Road, Manheim. They worked to complete their mission, building a 16-by-8-foot cross to have it ready for the Easter sunrise service in 1962.

Unfortunately, after many years, the cross stopped lighting up. While no one knows for sure when or why it stopped, one thing is certain: It will soon light up again.

Pat McGeehan, the caretaker of Fairview Cemetery, has been collaborating with several individuals to secure funding for the restoration of the cross and the installation of LED bulbs.

"In 2022, my husband, Wes Geib, received an email from a classmate, Tim Mateer, with a picture of the men building the cross," said Audrey Geib. "Tim had come across the photo and thought the Manheim Historical Society would be interested in having the photo."

The Geibs are officers with the historical society. In the fall of 2024, Wes received a phone call from McGeehan, asking if the historical society would be interested in a donation or sponsorship to repair the cross.

"Wes informed Pat that the society could not sponsor the repair, but Wes offered to help Pat with getting funds for the project," Audrey recalled. "Pat said he would get an updated estimate."

The estimated cost of the project is $5,400.

"The cross will be rewired, and the electrician will install LED lights," Audrey said. "The electrician will also have it wired for timed lighting."

Kopp Electric is performing the renovations, and the project has been well-received by the community, Audrey said, noting that Wes has spread the word for support through phone calls and postings on social media.

"Phone calls have been made to many of the descendants of the men who built the original cross, and those friends are helping to spread the word," she shared.

While the cross itself dates to the early 1960s, the grounds have a long history. The Manheim Fairview Cemetery Association was established in 1874. "This cemetery was the site of community Easter dawn services since 1933," Audrey said.

The repair work is in the final stages, and the cross should be lit very soon, she noted. It will provide not just a beacon alongside the road, but also a tribute to the past.

"This lit cross was a very special memory for the town of Manheim," Audrey said, "and many people we talk with would love to see it lit again."

Support is needed to fund the upkeep of the cross. For more information, contact Wes Geib through Facebook.