Be a Supporter

"I found this place last year around the same time Jesus found me and fell in love. My favorite spot near home to go work walks and see the city of Riverside from the cross at the top of the mountain."

"I am a 4th generation Riversider.  During my school years I thought about the future.  The cross on Mt. Rubidoux reminds of my past - relatives I have known and relatives I never met.  I can't remember when I heard the story, but my Mom and my Aunt shared about their family walking to the cross on Mt. Rubdioux."

"This is a historic symbol. The cross is not bothering anyone. Don't throw our history away!"

"Count me in!"

"I remember driving to the top of Mt. Rubidoux as a child many times with my father who would take every out of town guest up there to show them the view. I particularly remember my grandparents visiting from Indiana. They thought they were really going to the mountains! "

"I support what you're doing to save the cross and am going to donate to help. I also have many footprints on that Mt. as a kid and teen."

"We have been blessed for years to walk to the cross. Even at their young age, my sons understand its significance and were very concerned that it may be taken down. We hope it will continue to be a source of comfort and peace for so many of us in our city."

"My Grandfather, Joseph L. Renck (city council member, ward 5, 1960's) helped put the now current cross on Mt. Rubidoux also my father, Paul L. Renck served as city council member, ward 5, 1980's.  We now have 7 generations that have lived in Riverside since the 1890's.  Many family members have been to see the cross, take pictures in front of the cross and have touched the cross remembering past family members.  Since the 1960's, my sisters, friends and now my family have been to Easter Sunrise Service many, many times.  I hope this Easter (March 31, 2013) will not be the last Easter Sunrise Service for Riversiders to attend.  I can't count how many 4th of July's we have spent watching the fireworks light up the night sky and waiting to see how long it would take for the mountain to  catch fire.  We need to fight for the right to keep our cross for the future generations to come."

"I guess it takes a burr under the saddle to bring out how we feel about this very special place. Its good to see so much support from the community and surrounding area to keep this property in the hands of those who really care."

"My husband is from Mira Loma (76 yrs) and spent many days hiking up Mt. Rubidoux to the Cross as a young boy. I am from Long Beach (82 yrs) and spent summers in Riverside by Fairmount park when my dad was working as an engineer at March Airforce base. I was about 12 and hiked up the mountain to play castles and dungeons every day. We went up the moutnain for sunrise service as I recall. SAVE THE CROSS!! I am in a wheelchair now."

"I was born and raised in Riverside and remember the day that the cement cross was put up on the mountain.  For several years I would walk up with my nieces and nephews for Easter Sunrise Services.  I do not want to see the cross be taken down.  Although I now live out of state, I still love Riverside."

"I was born and raised in Riverside at the foot of that mountain.  The cross is a part of my childhood, my life, and my family.  It is a Riverside landmark and part of our history.  SAVE THE CROSS!!!"

"I love this cross! I grew up around this cross! Me and my family watched as they put up the concrete and steel cross in 1963 (I was only 5 years old at the time, but I will never forget it). Growing up in the area, I often hiked to the top of Mt. Rubidoux just for the view, went to many Easter Sunrise Services, and used to ride horses in the river-bottom below. I am not a very religous person, but still, I always made it a point to look for the cross every chance I got, it made me feel good inside each and every time I saw it sitting there proudly on-top of the mountain. We must fight to keep this beautiful cross and historic landmark ... Riverside/Mount Rubidoux would never be the same without it! I will be donating to help purchase, and preserve our beloved Serra Cross, and I will encourage others to do the same!"

"My husband Lazaro & I love walking up Mt. Rubidoux. Getting to the top & seeing the cross is so inspirational. Its the best part of walking all the way up. We have taken out kids & grand kids up  Mt. Rubidoux. It was hard but they loved it !"

"Congratulations to the Mission Inn Foundation, The Friends of Mt. Rubidoux and The Riverside Land Conservancy  for forming such a formidable team to preserve this important heritage for our city.  We need to have every child in Riverside participating in this grand movement."

"Without The cross on the top of Mount Rubidoux would be like an ice cream cone without the ice cream. It is the beacon of our city.
What would we do with out it on the fourth of July?
It is not necessary a religious symbol but a symbol of our city and as a resident we love it."

"I'm a 3rd generation Riversider.  Mt. Rubidoux is dear to me and my 5 grown children no matter where we might be living."

"Save the Cross"

"For nearly seven decades our family has lived, worked, shopped, volunteered, rehabilitated historical resources and paid taxes in the City of Riverside. In all that time the cross on Mt. Rubidoux has graced the crown of that rock strewn little hill as a focal point of inspiration for hikers, walkers, people of faith and people of community who claim no faith at all.
That simple cross is an inanimate object that holds no power to coerce an individual to submit to a particular religious ideology. It silently stands as an historic symbol of our heritage as citizens of this beautiful city, and of a great nation. The cross on Mt Rubidoux means many things to many people, and whether religiously or politically or historically, it has and continnues to have a unifying effect over the individuals who call Riverside their home.
Our family will be donating and networking with others to insure that it stands for future generations to enjoy a "hike to the cross" at the top of Mt. Rubidoux."

"I am a firm believer in the separation of church and state -- and believe governments at all levels should not support religion, any religion, by permitting religious symbols on government lands.  The symbols are not offensive, yet their sponsorship by government is.

I reject completely the concept that the cross is not a religious symbol -- it is, and it should be.  To deny its meaning to Christians is to trivialize their most fundamental beliefs.  It represents the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

The Council has done the right thing.  The City should not own the cross. Yet it should remain where it is .  It is an important monument, which has great meaning for our community.  It should not be owned or maintained by any single religious organization, but by those community organizations which include all Riversiders, of all faiths and creeds, who honor our City's history.   We can follow the principles of our Constitution and honor our own history at the same time."

"We can see the cross from our kitchen window and we want it to stay!"

"The Cross is a part of Mt. Rubidoux."

"I was born & raised in Riverside. I will do everthing in my power to perserve The Mt. Rubidoux Cross. Wish I was closer, so I could do more. One thing I know, prayer works no matter where you are!"

"Historical..."

"I have lived in Riverside all my life and having been climbing to the top of Mount Rubidoux since I could walk. I always said if the cross were ever taken down I would have to move away. There is something about looking up and seeing the cross as the sunsets behind it that makes me so proud and happy that I live here. We want to help in any way we can to save our cross."

"I grew up in Riverside and have enjoyed many walks to the top of Mt. Rubidoux.  It would be a shame to lose the historical legacy of the cross because of political reasons.  Keep fighting!"

"The sign of the cross is a comfort to me. Its apart of my heritage, and represents the freedom of choice we all have for our-self."

"I grew up in Riverside, my mother, Grandparents and Great-Grandfather are buried at the foot of Mt. Rubidoux as I will one day be. The Mt. has been a part of our family for generations.  We have very fond memories of Riverside and her Mountain."

"Today we love walking  Mt. Rubidoux  as many times a week as possible.   My husband  has been climbing the mountain since the 1950's.  In the early 60's he led people up the trails for the Easter Sunrise Service as part of the Poly High School ROTC.  I am a Christian and seeing the cross when climbing up gives me added joy for the day.  It would be a shame  for it to be removed."

"Mt. Rubidoux and the cross represent a huge part of our history and heritage.  Now is the time to come together to save it.  I am grateful to this group, who are putting words into action."

"I grew up with this cross and have enjoyed sharing it with my family."

"Save the Mt.Rubidoux Cross FB Page has over 4,000 supporters from Alaska to New England to Florida! We are all supporting and spreading the word! We are all doing what we can to get the donations in to SAVE OUR CROSS!"

"This is a great opportunity to keep our city united and preserve our unique history."

"Mount Rubidoux is certainly an historical landmark enjoyed and respected by many and should remain as it is."

"I grew up on 9th Street down the road from Mt. Rubidoux and watching the fireworks, hiking the mountain and exploring the structures I have carried on the memories with my family. We have pictures with our children by that cross, I would hate to see it go."

"As a third generation Riverside resident, I have seen and enjoyed the Mt. Rubidoux cross throughout my life. It is Riverside's landmark."

"I have lived in Riverside most of my life and walk up the Mt. Rubidoux almost everyday and my favorite part is reaching the top to see the cross and take pictures it will never be the same if its taken away"

"Mt. Rubidoux has always been a very special place for our family! We'd like to help keep it in our community as an open space for all to experience."

"I am an atheist who touched the cross hundreds of times over the last 6 months en route to losing 50 pounds. I'd hate to see it gone."

"I grew up in Riverside and I would hate to see the cross taken down!"

"This is Awesome!"

"Sweet!"

"Fight the good fight."

"I have lived in Riverside my whole life in the shadow of that cross...I will chain myself to it before I let them take it down..this is not about religion, it is about history...my history and I will not sit by and see it thrown away like trash."

"You can count on my support and my love for the mountain always."

"I don't live in Riverside, but my friend does, and this is beautiful. I support  your position and hope you get to keep the cross, exactly where it is."

""Friendship and Peace" can only ultimately be found at the top of the hill, "The Cross" that crowns Mt. Rubidoux. We need to preserve these symbols that so embody these truths!"

"Even though we moved from Rvierside our heart and soul is always there. My family still reside there. One day we will return home"

"We are here to help save the cross"

"I run up Mount Rubidoux every other day, and regardless of not been a Christian or other religious group, I've never been bother by the presence of the cross. To me it has always been part of the history of Riverside. Too sad if it gets teared down."

"My kids and I rode our bikes up the road many times to the cross area. I think it is a beautiful part of Riverside History.  The idea of freedom of religion is sometimes confused with freedom from religion which is what a small minority seem to be seeking. Having a cross on a hillside of a city with a rich tradition of accepting many religions and cultures is not promotion of a religion. It is a piece of history that should remain.   Removing the cross so that it does not offend anyone is intolerant."

"The cross is meant to be there. He is our savior. I will do anything to help keep  the cross. So others can see him and remember."

"I am a third generation Riverside resident and absolutely support the efforts to protect the cross on Mt. Rubidoux. It is a part of us. What will they come after next?"

"The cross on Mt. Rubidoux is an integral part of Riverside's history and must be preserved."

"I've viewed Mt. Rubidoux for over 64 years and never once thought the cross meant the government was trying to force a religion on anyone.  What's next for the anti-crosses on public land the removal of headstones with crosses in our National Cemeteries on the final resting places of those who fought for our Nation's freedoms?"

"To remove the cross is to remove a part of Riverside that is identifiable, recognizable, and historical to its legacy.  I would hate to see it disappear, along with many decades of history it has witnessed and influenced to all who come onto its presence.  I could think of no better companion to watch the sun rise and set and admire all of Riverside."

"i grew up going up Mt. ROUBIDOUX  and riding through mclane park... removing that cross would be like ripping out the soul of riverside... just the fact that this idea is being tossed around disgusts me. dont let riverside fade away dont let it turn into some place else."

"To many people & government groups are suit happy now days!! Regardless of what religious denomination a person is....The CROSS that's has stood so proudly on top of Mt. Rubidoux,  is a sign of INSPIRATION  for all!!
 Let it be!!"

"I'm 60 yrs. old and went to Rubidoux High. I have walked up and driven up Mt. Rubidoux. I have been to Easter Sunrise on Mt. Rubidoux. I have seen 4th of July fireworks off Mt. Rubidoux. Most of which were followed by watching firefighters put fires out so the mountain and the Cross wouldn't burn. Now those who are not happy unless they can force their control on others are insisting that the Cross come down. History, heratige, and religous beliefs of others mean nothing to them."

“Sometimes I think the environment in which we operate is entirely too secular. The fact that we have freedom of religion doesn't mean we need to try to have freedom from religion.” - William Jefferson Clinton

"We firmly believe that purchasing the land is the only good option for preserving this historic landmark. Since it is a landmark of  Riverside, it is appropriate that it can be maintained by the contributions of all willing citizens of Riverside and adjoining communities. We believe that the fund raising should be from the approach that no amount is too much or too little. There were Letters to the Editor from two elementary school children. We believe that it would be fantastic that children could feel that they have contributed to this great cause by a small personal contribution. It would be neat to think that they are partners in the ownership of the land on which the cross is sited. Clearly big donations would be helpful and possibly necessary, but we believe that much could be raised by widespread relatively small contributions. It is simply a matter of getting the word out and a mechanism for all to be involved."

"I was in Boy Scout Troop 13 back in the 1950's and our troop worked the Easter Sunrise Service as trail monitors for the choir that was to sing.
There was always a beautiful sunrise to begin the service, and those memories always return each Easter weekend as I look at Mt. Rubidoux."

"So tired of the few whiners making life miserable for the majority. Thank you everyone for standing up. I don't think in our current culture that people see this cross as a religious symbol I think they see it as History and  a symbol of home"

"Mt. Rubidoux is one of our family's favorite places in Riverside to visit. It will not be the same without the cross."

"I have lived in Riverside all my life. That cross is a part of our community, and I hope to see it stay!!"

"Mt. Rubidoux has always been a very special place for our family!  We'd like to help keep it in our community as an open space for all to experience."

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