What is the purpose of the cross in church?

I assume that you mean a cross and not a crucifix. A crucifix is a cross that has the figure of a dying Christ on it. A cross is empty. The cross is one of the symbols of Christianity, as it was on a cross that Jesus was executed. Christians believe that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to his ministry, and by his death he atoned for our sins, opening the way for an eternal relationship with God. In other Words, Jesus was and is the saviour of all people by what he did. Because the cross is so central to the Christian faith, crosses are seen in churches to remind us through their symbolism of just what Jesus did and act as a focal point in worship and prayer. In Roman Catholic churches the crucifix is more prevalent, as they tend to emphasise the death and sacrifice of Jesus. In protestant churches, however, it is more common to see the cross - the empty cross, reminding us of the greatest miracle of all - that of Jesus' resurrection, and focussing our thoughts and prayers of Thanksgiving through it. Christians believe that the empty cross is empty because Jesus is alive through his resurrection. Therefore, as this miracle of Jesus is so central to the Christian faith, the cross, and especially the empty cross, is seen as the most potent and important of Christian symbols, and will be found in every Christian church.