A 72-foot (22-metre) tall replica of the Statue of Liberty erected at a Memphis church is green like the original, with the right arm extended upward in the familiar pose.

But instead of a torch, this statue holds a cross.
And the famous inscription - "Give me your tired, your poor ..." - has been replaced by Roman numerals representing the Ten Commandments.

Ryan Bessant of Canada, puts one of the feet on a 72-foot-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty, Wednesday, in Memphis, Tennessee. A Memphis church will unveil this replica of the Statue of Liberty holding a cross instead of a torch. World Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church is planning to unveil the statue that mixes Christian and US themes during a special Fourth of July ceremony at their 12,000-member church. (Photo: AP)

The Statue of Liberation, to be unveiled at a July 4 Independence Day ceremony at the World Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church, Tennessee, also has a tear running down her face, representing her concern for America.

"People don't talk about Christ anymore and our morals are gone," said church pastor Apostle Alton R Williams.
"People cannot drive by our statue without thinking about their relationship with God."

The US$260,000 (euro208,000) statue is not a welcome sight for the entire community.
Evelyn Douglass, 11, said she takes the long way home to avoid seeing the "big green thing".
"The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of the United States of America. The cross represents a specific religion," Douglass said. "It's not right that they are mixing the two. That church is trashing the meaning of America."

Across the street from the statue, store manager Mary Preyer said she is looking forward to seeing it unveiled completely.
"I like the idea of the Statue of Liberty holding a cross representing freedom through Jesus Christ," Preyer said.
"I just think its funding could have been put to better use for the neighbourhood. It's definitely got people talking."

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