Lehigh County's seal which includes a cross in the center is staying.

The board of commissioners at its March 25 meeting unanimously agreed the seal will remain.

Back in November, Attorney Patrick Elliott, of the Freedom From Religion Organization, based in Madison, Wisc., sent the county a letter, arguing the seal violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The board asserts the 71-year-old cross represents the settling of Lehigh County by Christians, as well as serves a secular purpose because it includes a number of elements historic in nature.

"Our angle is the secular view of the historical aspect of the seal," board Chairman Brad Osborne said during the meeting.

FFRO has threatened to file suit against the county for violating the Constitution.

The board unanimously granted county Solicitor Matthew Sorrentino authorization to send a letter to FFRO, explaining the county's reasoning and decision.

"It is the position of Lehigh County that the presence of the cross on the seal among all the other items of historical significance has the secular purpose of recognizing the history of the county," the letter reads.

"As such it does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment."

Allentown resident Joe Hilliard recommended the board alter the letter to emphasize those who originally settled in the county were Christians.

The board agreed to Hilliard's suggestion.

According to Osborne, FFRO has not filed suit against the county to date.