Groom, Texas Giant Cross. The 19-story cross, standing 190 feet tall, was built by Steve Thomas of Pampa, Texas in 1995. Mr. Thomas, disgusted with the huge billboards advertising XXX pornography locations along I-40 wanted to make a public profession of faith along the Interstate. Inspired by a cross built by a rancher in Ballinger, Texas, the cross was built on private property donated by Chris Britten. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.