The Cross of Tomball erected in tribute to lost son

The Cross of Tomball is visible from Hwy 249 and the new 99 Parkway.

Trey Gamble

The Cross of Tomball is visible from Hwy 249 and the new 99 Parkway.

Nathan Mahaffey and Trey Gamble

The Cross of Tomball at River of Praise Church was put up in the church’s parking lot on March 22. After about a month’s time of building the cross, it is finally finished.

“It’s a 125 ft. tall cross,” Youth Pastor Christian Jennings said, “And it’s so cool, so you can see it from the Grand Parkway and 249. It is massive.”

The Cross of Tomball is located at the corner of 249 and 99 at the campus of River of Praise Church.

The Cross was donated this year by Paula Whitaker as a memorial for her son, Ryan Paul Whitaker, who passed in a tragic accident back in the year 2007. This 125 ft. Cross was also made as a symbol for Tomball to let people know about the Christian community in the town when they drive by and see it.

“The reason why she (Paula Whitaker) wanted to make a cross during her time of mourning after losing her son, it (the cross) really spoke to her,” Jennings said, “It really uplifted her and she was hoping that it will do the same for the whole city of Tomball.”