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

Commissioners at their March 25 meeting unanimously agreed the seal will remain.

In November 2014, Attorney Patrick Elliott, of the Freedom From Religion Organization, Madison, Wisc., sent the county a letter stating 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," Chairman Brad Osborne said.

The board directed Solicitor Matthew Sorrentino to send a letter to FFRO.

"It is the position of Lehigh County 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 letter emphasize those who originally settled in the county were Christians. The board agreed.