Humboldt Park church puts up 352 crosses for the 352 people killed in Chicago this year

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - Hundreds of crosses can now be found in Chicago representing the lives lost to violence in the city.

People in Humboldt Park gathered at the New Life Covenant Church Tuesday all in hopes of finding a way to stop the number of dead people from growing.

"It's not white, it's not black, it’s life,” said church member Rose Rivera.

There are 352 crosses for 352 people killed in the city of Chicago so far this year.

“We have a war here in our city. And we just as a church, we feel we need to come out here,” said Pastor Wilfredo De Jesus of New Life Covenant Church.

Pastor Wilfredo De Jesús decided to display the crosses and bring neighbors together to try to combat violence with their faith.

“How many times have we walked against violence in our city? I've slept in Humboldt Park against violence with members of our church. And here we are again. It's a continual message, we cannot get weary of preaching that there's still hope,” the pastor said.

Names of victims are written on each cross. This is a part of the church's ‘Love Life’ campaign and it's spreading.

The goal is to teach those who are out committing these murders.

"Out here no one has respect for human life so us as people of God we just want to show them that we need more love in the city of Chicago,” said Ralph Tirado of Redeemed Riders.

That’s why several hundred people came from different neighborhoods and different churches to pray for one cause: stop the killing.

"We have individuals that have no moral compass. And if we can just agree on that, that what we're having is a heart problem, then let's begin to get solutions,” Pastor Wilfredo De Jesus said.

The hope of so many at the church is that the collection of crosses doesn't continue to grow.

The church members tonight are praying for peace in the city and around the country.