The giant white cross on Montana 82 that has welcomed drivers into Bigfork from Somers for more than 52 years fell during last week’s intense windstorm.  

A family member of the man who built the cross made a post on the “Bigfork Cross” Facebook page Wednesday morning.  

“It is with very heavy hearts we confirm the reports that our beloved cross has come down. However, what matters most is that my uncle who built the cross and lives in a cabin near it was unharmed,” the post read. “The Bigfork Cross has withstood many storms for more than 52 years and my uncle always said it was God’s cross, not his. God could have held it up, but he allowed it to fall today.” 

On Dec. 17, dangerous high winds downed trees and caused damage across Northwest Montana. A wind gust of 67 mph was reported in Kalispell, while Mount Aeneas in the Swan Range clocked a gust at 96 mph.   

In a separate post made Wednesday night, the family thanked community members for sharing photos and memories of the illuminated cross with “Christ Died For You, Will You Live For Him?” in red lettering.  

There are no plans to rebuild the cross and the family asked the community to stop donating to all independent fundraising efforts — many of which cropped up online as soon as news spread about the cross’ collapse.  

The purpose of the cross was always to emphasize the message it bore rather than to place a focus on the physical cross, the Bigfork Cross post continued.    

The man who built the cross shared a personal statement in the social media post.  

“I think maybe it has served its purpose and now it is time for people to turn their eyes from the [physical] cross to the Lord,” he said, then quoted Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭8‬.