A couple of weeks before Easter Sunday, a coincidental meeting in the parking lot of the Little Mound Baptist Church led to some friendly advice. When discussing the upcoming sunrise service, Pastor Michael Phillips had offered, “Be sure to get here a bit early so you can see the illuminated cross.”

That little aside could not prepare one for viewing the illuminated cross for the first time. It is, quite possibly, the most meaningful representation of Easter for miles around. 

Little Mound Baptist Church sits atop a hill on the north side of FM 49, less than a half-mile east of FM 1002, just across the county line in Upshur County. 

Beside and behind the church, the terrain rises into a rocky mound. A large, well-maintained cemetery descends from near the top to fill in the land on the south side.

The cross, erected two years ago, faces southeast and is located just short of the crest of the hill. The upper cemetery – nearest to the crest of the hill – has not been used for many years. The cross appears to arise from the rocky ground among old headstones. 

The cross is wholesomely and not harshly lighted. It emanates light but does not overwhelm. It is warming.

The setting, the dimensions, the light all combine to present a realistic and tangible representation of the morning of Christ’s resurrection. 

As Phillips explained, “We wanted something which would overlook both the cemetery and the church, and the location was designed to give the appearance of the cross hovering over the hill.”

Church member Steve Stokes, the man who led the effort in the design and placement of the cross, described how a true-to-size model had been first put up to ensure that the church had the correct dimensions and the correct effect. It is clear that they had indeed hit their mark.

Easter morning was overcast. The sky changed from dark to purple to a dark blue, before lightening. And there, atop Little Mound, was the illuminated cross – providing a drawing light to the early morning.

Sunrise service was conducted just across FM 49 from the church, in front of the Fellowship Hall. After an opening prayer, Music Director Bret Myers led those gathered in ‘Christ Arose!’ and ‘I’ll Fly Away.’

Soloist Barbara Langford followed with an excellent rendition of ‘Upon a Cruel Tree of Calvary.”  

Pastor Phillips took the assembly on a brief discussion of the resurrection. Specifically, he stressed the facts upon which the events of the day are known: the death of Jesus on the cross; the placing of His body in a tomb; the resurrection of Christ from the dead; and the fact that Jesus is alive today.

Phillips’ sermon came full circle, from the facts of the resurrection to the promise of Christ made in John 6:40, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the son and believes in him may have eternal life. And I shall raise him on the last day.”

After the service, Phillips shared some of his enthusiasm for his work celebrating Easter at a small country church.

“What is so exciting about Easter is the empty tomb. The resurrection of Christ is truly the start of our faith. As Christians, it is our living God, which sets us apart.”

Sharing in those thoughts were a collection of local residents – regulars at Little Mound. Most of the congregation trace their family roots to the area several generations. 

Originally known as Calloway, it was a small but growing community in the mid-1800s. The land on which the church stands was originally deeded for construction of a school, which would double as a church.

The church quickly outgrew its capacity. A larger second church was built just south of the original site. This church, in turn, was outgrown. In 1925 the building was disassembled and a larger church built on the original site. 

According to Stokes, there are original hand-hewn timbers in the current church  foundation.

Like many rural churches, Little Mound has challenges with drawing congregants. Phillips remains confident and enthusiastic, however, about the church and its mission. The church is heavily vested in the Baptist Missionary Association as well as in local outreach in Upshur County.   

“Our motto is ‘Where love abounds,’” Phillips said, “and that is what we profess.”

He added that Little Mound Baptist Church believes in the opportunity for everyone to worship, and that the church seeks to minister to needs. “We want to welcome all and share with them the love of Christ,” stated Phillips.

There was one more take-away from the sunrise service at Little Mound. It came from the chorus of Barbara Langford’s hymn,

‘His hand is gently knocking on your door –                                                                                    

Outside, He is pleading to come in.

His heart is breaking as He waits for you …

To wash you free from every sin.’