King of Kings (statue)

King of Kings
King of Kings in May 2008
ArtistBrad Coriell, James Lynch
Completion date2004
MediumStyrofoam, fiberglass
SubjectJesus
Dimensions13 m (42 ft)
ConditionDestroyed by lightning in 2010
LocationLebanon, Ohio
Coordinates39°27′14″N 84°19′36″W / 39.453839°N 84.326533°W / 39.453839; -84.326533

King of Kings (also referred to as Touchdown Jesus) was a 62-foot (19 m) tall statue of Jesus on the east side of Interstate 75 at the Solid Rock Church, a 4000+ member Christian megachurch near Monroe, Ohio, in the United States.

It garnered widespread recognition and various nicknames during its existence from 2003 or 2004 until its destruction by lightning and subsequent fire on June 14, 2010.[1][2]

A replacement statue, called Lux Mundi, was assembled and dedicated on the site in September 2012.

Construction

It was designed by Brad Coriell,[3]a Nashville artist and Dayton native.[4] The statue was built by sculptor James Lynch of Florida,[4] and assembled by Mark Mitten.

Its steel frame was constructed in constructed in nearby Lebanon, while the body, made of Styrofoam and fiberglass, was created in Jacksonville, Florida in Lynch's studio then trucked north.[1][4] The main body of the statue was made from a core of Styrofoam covered by a thin skin of fiberglass.[1][5] During installation, initially the head and arms were found to be too small for the chest, requiring Lynch to spend three months recasting these components.[1]

Characteristics

It reportedly stood 20 feet taller than originally planned.[1] The statue depicted Jesus from the torso up, appearing to burst from the ground, or a man-made reflecting pool, behind the church's amphitheater worship space. His arms were raised into the air.

Despite its large size, its skin, made of plastic foam and fiberglass over a steel frame, was noted as being thin enough to bend to the touch of a finger.[1] The entire figure weighed 16,000 pounds, or 8 tons.[4] At night, the statue was illuminated by spotlights from below.[1]

The sculpted statue was completed in September 2004 at a cost of approximately $250,000,[1]although another source claims it cost $500,000.[6] Coriell donated some of his time to the project.[3]

Popularity and nicknames

The statue was given many nicknames, both affectionate and derisive, by local residents and I-75 travelers. Among them were:

Mural of Jesus on the Hesburgh Library in a similar pose

The statue was also credited with inspiring two musical works:

The statue was also a popular photographic subject for fans of The Ohio State University, who would align Jesus' upraised arms as the "H" when spelling out "O-H-I-O".[10]

Reception

The statue elicited strong and varied opinions. Many viewed it as a positive landmark and a significant religious symbol.[4][11]

David Lovell, administrator for Solid Rock Church, stated that the statue "helped the body of Christ in general because the name of Jesus Christ was discussed," and that it encouraged people to consider "what Jesus did for us" and that the statue was "just steel and Styrofoam."[12] He also noted that the image of Christ "spurred something in them," bringing people into the church.[12] Church co-pastor Darlene Bishop stated its purpose was to clarify that Solid Rock was a church centered on Jesus, as many visitors were unsure of its nature.[4] She also claimed that half of the church's visitors came because they had seen the statue, and that it brought "more advertisement that we could have ever paid for."

The statue also faced criticism. A common complaint was that it constituted a form of idolatry,[12][4][13] a sentiment David Lovell acknowledged but countered by asserting, "No one worships that statue."[12] Others found it "a little silly" or "overdone", perceiving it as a joke or punchline.[12] Some, hoped it would not be rebuilt after its destruction.[4]

Destruction

On June 14, 2010, at approximately 11:15 p.m., the statue was struck by lightning and consumed in the resulting blaze.[14] With flames reportedly reaching up to 100 feet.[15] Due to its construction materials of plastic foam and fiberglass over a steel frame, the statue quickly burned down to its blackened steel skeleton, with pieces of foam scattering into a nearby pond. [5][16]

The fire also spread to the attic of the adjacent Lawrence Bishop Music Theatre, part of the church's amphitheater, but was contained there, and no one was injured.[2] Damage estimates totaled $700,000, with $300,000 attributed to the statue itself and $400,000 to the amphitheater.[4][17][18] Church officials noted that existing lightning resisters and grounding rods on the statue and surrounding area failed to prevent the fire.[4]

Following the fire, the pastor of the church stated that the church planned to rebuild the statue with fireproof material.[19][20] In the days after the destruction, the church's digital sign displayed the message "He'll be back".[17]

Although the statue cost about $250,000 to construct, it was insured for $500,000 because Coriell had donated his time to the creation.[3]

PETA offered funding through an "anonymous Christian donor" to help rebuild the statue if allowed to promote veganism via pamphlets at the church.[21]

Replacement statue

Main article: Lux Mundi (statue)
Lux Mundi at Solid Rock Church

Construction of a 52-foot (16 m) replacement statue with a substantially different design began in June 2012. The new statue, called Lux Mundi, was assembled on the site on September 19, 2012, and dedicated on September 30, 2012.[22][23]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Maag, Chris (November 18, 2005). "Giant Jesus statue keeps watch over Ohio interstate". New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Press, Associated (June 16, 2010). "Lightning strike destroys Touchdown Jesus statue". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Morse, Janice (June 16, 2010). "'Touchdown Jesus' statue's destruction brings flood of donations". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Rebuilt Jesus statue will be fireproof, pastor says". springfield-news-sun. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Lightning Razes 'King Of Kings' Statue". Cincinnati, Ohio: WLWT. June 15, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  6. ^ "Solid Rock Prepares To Rebuild Jesus Statue". dayton-daily-news. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  7. ^ Abramson, Dan (March 11, 2010). "Big Butter Jesus Dominates Google, Arteries". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  8. ^ "Big Butter Jesus [video where artist discusses origin of song]". YouTube. January 2, 2007. Archived from the original on December 18, 2021.
  9. ^ Robbie Schaefer, Strange and Lovely World
  10. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ^ "The Glasshand chosen to sculpt new Jesus statue in Monroe Ohio". Soapbox. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d e "5 years after fire, new Jesus statue has fans, critics". dayton-daily-news. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  13. ^ Gryboski, Michael; Editor (September 20, 2012). "Giant Statue Replacing 'Touchdown Jesus' Completed in Ohio". www.christianpost.com. Retrieved July 31, 2025. {{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  14. ^ "King of Kings statue destroyed by fire". kypost.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  15. ^ "Solid Rock Prepares To Rebuild Jesus Statue". dayton-daily-news. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  16. ^ Yahoo7Updated (June 16, 2010). "Six-storey Jesus statue struck by lightning". Yahoo News. Retrieved July 31, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ a b "Lightning Razes 'King Of Kings' Statue; 'He'll Be Back'". WLWT Cincinnati. Hearst Television, Inc. June 5, 2010. Archived from the original on November 5, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  18. ^ Baker, Jennifer (June 16, 2010). "'Touchdown Jesus' fire leads to few gawking tickets". Cincinnati.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2010. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  19. ^ "Statue of Jesus destroyed by lightning strike". WXIX-TV "Fox 19". June 15, 2010. Archived from the original on June 18, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  20. ^ "Lightning strike destroys Touchdown Jesus statue". The Guardian. London. Associated Press. June 16, 2010.
  21. ^ Grossman, Cathy Lynn (June 22, 2010). "PETA offers to rebuild, brand Jesus statue: Next offer, NRA?". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  22. ^ McCrabb, Rick (September 19, 2012). "Giant Jesus landmark returns to I-75". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  23. ^ "52 foot Jesus replaces predecessor". Cincinnati.com. September 19, 2012. Archived from the original on September 20, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.

39°27′14″N 84°19′35″W / 39.453857°N 84.32642°W / 39.453857; -84.32642

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