Work suspended on controversial “Upper Valley Cross” being erected on Tumwater Mountain

LEAVENWORTH – Construction of the organization “Upper Valley Cross’s” (UVC) envisioned, seventy-foot tall, illuminated cross near the summit of Tumwater Mountain, which began in June and to date is unpermitted, has been suspended pending resolution of a “notice and order” to correct Chelan County code violations issued by the office of the Chelan County Community Development to the site’s landowner Robert Johnson.

According to UVC, Johnson, the real estate developer whose portfolio includes the Enzian Inn and Posthotel, “offered a location” on the mountain for the “group of Christian men from various denominations” to erect the steel structure. 

UVC states that its project was inspired by the lighted, 110’ “Wenatchee Valley Cross,” atop Wenatchee Heights. Harry Hansen, UVC’s de facto spokesman, stated that the motivation for the Tumwater cross came about because “of late, we experience definite movement outright attacking the very foundation of our country’s core beliefs: ‘In God We Trust’ and ‘God Bless America’ . . . Quite suddenly, a new foundation based upon diversity, equity and inclusion has become the mantra, where right is wrong and good is bad. In light of these developments, it seemed only right to stand up for what most of us believe.”

Discussing UVC’s intent for the cross to be visible throughout the Upper Wenatchee Valley, Hansen averred that “we are building this cross to be seen by as many people as possible as a reminder of the sacrifices that Jesus Christ made for all of us.” 

Nonetheless, not all of those who will be able to see the cross, which Hansen assures will only be lighted “when it is dark and will last for only a few hours,” share UVC’s enthusiasm for the structure. Leavenworth resident Ryan Showalter initiated a petition on change.org opposing the cross. It garnered more than 1,500 signatures. “Once I learned about it,” tells Showalter, “I felt that the community needed to know what was going on so that everybody affected by [the cross] could make their voices heard. So, I started the petition as a mechanism to raise awareness. And now, I think it has served its purpose.”

“I think that [the cross] doesn’t necessarily represent all of us,” explained Showalter. “I’m certainly not anti-Christian and am all for religious freedom. But I do feel that our community needs to be welcoming of all religions. I’m also for maintaining and preserving the natural beauty of our surroundings. All of that said, if [UVC and Johnson] go through the legally required permitting and engineering process and are granted a permit, then that’s all I can do. However, I think it is going to be tough for them to get a permit, as it should be, as my reading of the code makes me think that the project up there is not legal.”

The legality of the project was raised by Deanna Walter, director of Chelan County Community Development, at an August meeting of the Chelan County Commissioners, as reported in the Wenatchee World. The matter was brought to Walter’s attention via code violation notices filed by members of the public. Walter suggested that neither the Tumwater nor Wenatchee Heights crosses appear to hold required building permits nor are in compliance with the County code that considers the structures signs, which are restricted in height to 35 feet.

In response, Hansen stated that “the private property owner is addressing these issues,” referring to Johnson, and that fabrication of parts for the Tumwater cross continues, just not on the Mountain. 

The Office of Community Development had no additional information to provide at the time of writing.

Caroline Menna is an intern for Ward Media and a rising senior (Class of 2025) at Cascade High School. She will serve as Editor-in-Chief of the Cascade High School Publications Group for the 2024-2025 academic year.