ALTO PASS, Ill. -- With dawn breaking over the massive Bald Knob Cross of Peace, at least 1,000 people from throughout the region celebrated the resurrection of Christ at the 78th annual Easter Sunrise Service.

Father Uriel Salmanaca, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Cobden, Ill., delivered the message for the observance saying on the day Mary Magdelaine said Jesus had risen, "God manifested his glory and fulfilled all the promises he made in the Old Testament."

"Two-thousand years later, we are celebrating the same good news: He is risen," Salmanaca said. He added that only in Jesus do people find the real meaning of their lives.

In his opening prayer, Christopher, Ill.-resident Frank Caruso of the prayer ministry team of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, noted Sunday's gathering was to celebrate and remember the resurrection.

"Without the sacrifice and death of Jesus, there would not have been a resurrection," Caruso said.

Frank Hasty of West Frankfort, Ill. directs cars into the parking lot for the annual Easter sunrise service Sunday, April 20, 2014 at Bald Knob Cross of Peace near Alto Pass, Ill. (Fred Lynch)

He also expressed thanks to the men and women who founded and funded Bald Knob Cross through the years, those who serve in the armed services and their families and the men and women the Lord has "touched to be pastors, priests, teachers and counselors in our lives, who share your word and love with us."

Ralph Brandon, chairman of Bald Knob Cross of Peace and pastor of Christian Covenant Fellowship in Carterville, Ill., said Jesus' resurrection is the one thing that unites all Christian denominations.

Johnny and Joellen Johnson of Mulkeytown, Ill., Chuck Porterfield and Shannon Hackney of Marion, Ky., and Eric Cunningham of Cape Girardeau all were first-time attendees.

Joellen Johnson said the weather was beautiful and the event attracted a great turnout.

"We've lived in Southern Illinois our whole lives. We've always wanted to do it," Joellen said of attending.

Larry and Gina Cometto of Coulterville, Ill. snap a selfie before the Easter sunrise service at the Bald Knob Cross of Peace Sunday, April 20, 2014 near Alto Pass, Ill. (Fred Lynch)

Porterfield said he and Hackney had been to the cross before and heard about the service, held overlooking the foothills of the Ozark Mountains outside Alto Pass.

"You can't beat the view," Porterfield said.

Cunningham, the city attorney for Cape Girardeau, said the experience was special.

"[It's] just beautiful to be under the cross and to be hearing about the resurrection of Jesus," he said.

Crystal Gann of Carterville, Ill., had her daughter, mother, father and nephew with her Sunday.

"I think it's a good experience for the kids to be out here, see the sunrise and listen to the world of God," Gann said, adding she did the same as a child.

The observance featured traditional hymns such as "The Old Rugged Cross," "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" and "Christ the Lord is Risen Today." Some gospel sung by Elvis Presley also was played before and after the service.

Gary Cox, who has been involved in the service the past two years, said the atmosphere is leisurely.

"It's very just a relaxed atmosphere to sing in. ... The whole idea is so uniquely Southern Illinois," he said.

Sunrise services were first held at the site in 1937.

With a groundbreaking in 1959, Bald Knob Cross of Peace was completed in 1963 when the last of more than 900 heavy gauge steel panels with a bright white porcelain veneer was affixed to the framework, the website, baldknobcross.com, said. It stands more than 111 feet tall and has the words "peace," "faith," "charity" and "hope" carved into the four sides of the granite-covered base.

For more information, visit baldknobcross.com.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

Alto Pass, Ill.