Father Bill Kramer prayed over the cross in a short ceremony just before crews lifted it to the tower.
Kramer and others said the cross is a reminder of the crucifixion of Christ and the resurrection.
“For us the cross is a sign of victory,” Kramer said. “Whenever people see a cross on top of churches, it’s a continual reminder of what our faith is all about, and if we keep following in the footsteps of Jesus that victory will be ours one day.”
The fund-raising goal was to raise $1.8 million to pay for the restoration project.
Restoration of the church has included adding new mortar and cleaning the stone on the tower. Crews have also replaced window frames and installed new slate on top of the tower.
Kramer said crews will add a new slate roof and will tuck point the exterior of the church or add new mortar.
Judy Ruf, 72, was one of dozens who came to the church to see the cross lifted.
“It’s beautiful. It means a lot to a lot of people,” Ruf said.
Susan Page said the raising of the cross was symbolic.
“St. Raphael was the mother church of Springfield. To come into Springfield and see that cross on the mother church marks not just the history of Catholicism, but its future,” Page said.
Page added the new cross was the “beginning of a new age.”
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