GALENA ? Residents of this southeast Kansas town are putting up crosses as a demonstration of faith — and as a response to city officials who removed crosses from a park.

A local church had placed three crosses in Schermerhorn Park for an Easter service 14 years ago and didn’t remove them afterward. Some residents complained about the crosses at a City Commission meeting last month, and officials removed them.

Mayor Dale Oglesby suggested then that residents put up crosses on their own property as a demonstration of their religious faith.

The First Baptist Church is helping out, and has installed more than 30 sets of crosses with 10 more scheduled.

“I have been constantly getting phone calls from people wanting the crosses,” said the Rev. Rodney Castleberry, church pastor. “There has been a tremendous response.”

The crosses are in sets of three, with a slightly taller cross in the middle.

Drivers on Kansas Highway 26 entering Galena from the south can see a set of three crosses with a sign stating: “Welcome to Galena. We believe!”

People entering town from the east may see two sets of crosses that are lighted at night.

Chad and Leslie Abram said many people had complimented them on the crosses.

“We decided to do it because all of our beliefs seem to be pushed aside,” Chad Abram said. “This community stands for something.”

Myra Carlisle Frazier, owner of Carlisle Real Estate, had the crosses installed with help from some young men from her church.

“We just wanted to see some crosses up after those were taken down” from Schermerhorn Park, Frazier said. “Obviously, everyone was reacting to the removal in such a sudden manner. People have seen those crosses forever. We wanted to make a statement to the community that we’re a believing community.”

People who have erected crosses said they did not intend for people of other faiths to feel unwelcome in Galena.