Texas city keeps cross monument by selling land to church after activists campaigned for its removal

An activist group advocating the separation of church and state called for the removal of a cross in a Texas city park, but city officials, refusing to remove it, dodged a potential lawsuit by selling the land to a church.

In a surprising move, the Port Neches city council was able to avoid having to remove the cross by selling the plot of land to First United Methodist Church. Apparently, the government is allowed to sell public property to a religious organization that already owns land in the city.

"I don't think we'd categorize it in any particular manner," City Manager Andre Wimer said. "We looked at a number of options and this is the direction that city council decided to proceed."

The dispute over the monument began when Port Neches Mayor Glenn Johnson received a letter from the organization Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) in Nov. 5, 2015 demanding that the cross in Riverfront Park be removed.

The group claimed that a "concerned citizen" approached them with the complaint. Emphasizing the separation of church and state, FFRF said that the presence of the Latin cross, an "unambiguous and indisputable" symbol of Christianity, on public property signifies that the government supports Christianity while not particularly giving the same favor to other religions.

"The government's permanent display of a Latin cross on public land is unconstitutional," FFRF wrote, adding that it is "a blatant violation of the Establishment Code."

Port Neches residents were outraged by the letter and openly opposed the removal of the 45-year-old, 10-foot white cross. Many planted little white crosses on their front lawns to show their opposition to FFRF's demand.

"It's just wrong for them to think that they can take that away from this community," resident Karron Lalande said. "It's been here for years."

Finding an overwhelming support from the community to keep the cross, Johnson firmly decided not to give in to the organization's pressure. He said that he and the city council "will not fold...will not bend...will not roll over" and will pursue the fight to prevent the cross' removal.

"And if it goes to court, then it goes to court. And we'll fight it there as well," Johnson said.

Selling the land where the white cross sits is expected to end the argument regarding the monument.

FFRF considered the sale of the land as a "victory," but said it will look into the transfer of ownership from the government to the church.

For now, Port Neches residents are happy that their cross gets to stay.