GALESBURG — A restored, gleaming six-foot golden cross was blessed and lifted to the top of the 170-foot steeple of Corpus Christi Church in Galesburg on Tuesday.

The cross and its supporting cable had been damaged by a lightning strike earlier this year.

Father William Miller, IC, pastor, blessed the cross, which is made of copper with a 22-karat gold plate and clear protective coating. As about two dozen parishioners prayed the rosary and sang “Lift High the Cross,” the cross — which had been taken down a week earlier and restored by Heritage Restoration and Design of Peoria — was lifted by crane along with those who would secure it in place, Michael Berlinger and Jerry Porter.

“Praised be Jesus Christ now and forever!” said Father Miller at the conclusion of the 20-minute project. Corpus Christi Church was dedicated in 1885.