By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

A monument-in-progress north of Lincolnville already is attracting attention from travelers on US-77/US-56.

Drivers pull over to look at the sculptures of three crosses just west of the highway. Columns are at the end of the row of crosses.

On one column is a bald eagle with a sign reading “In God We Trust.” On another is a sign with the Lord’s Prayer. The crosses, made of metal, are stark and simple.

All were crafted in the shop at Gary Diepenbrock’s cattle farm.

“This was on my bucket list,” Diepenbrock said Saturday. “I decided if I was going to do it, I’d better get it done.”

Although he has worked on the project for weeks and it’s now attracting visitors, it won’t be done for about six months, Diepenbrock said.

A large sculpture of a praying angel is on order from Europe, and he doesn’t expect it to arrive until then.

On Saturday, Diepenbrock worked with large chunks of limestone, piling them around the bases of the sculptures. He plans to make a parking lot.

People driving from Texas have stopped to look at his creation and talk to him, he said. So have many others driving up and down the highway.

The sculpture is going up during Lent, as Christians reflect forward on the crucifixion of Christ.