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Church Complains About Its Cross Being Removed From State Park

By Howard M. Friedman

Yesterday's Mobile (AL) Press-Register reports that the Orange Beach (AL) United Methodist Church is complaining that the recently appointed superintendent of Gulf State Park has removed a 10-foot tall cross made from driftwood that church members erected in 2008 with permission of the prior park superintendent.  Apparently the cross has been disposed of by maintenance personnel. Since 2008, the church has held evening services on the beach near the cross every Sunday from May to August. There have also been 35 baptisms performed in front of the cross. Park superintendent Michael Guinn says he removed the cross because of concern about separation of church and state.  He was unaware of the history of the cross or that it belonged to the United Methodist Church.  The church's pastor, Alan McBride, says they would have taken the cross down if the park had contacted them. The park superintendent admits that he acted hastily, and plans to meet with Rev. McBride to "try to make it up to them."

Full post as published by Religion Clause on March 20, 2011 (boomark / email).