62 Ft. Tall Giant - JESUS! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Blackthorn · 11-24-2004, 07:25 AM

I pass this church routinely on the way to a friend's house. It's been a hoot watching this statue being built. I've never stopped here but there is always always always a crowd hanging around and it seems to be getting more popular. The Solid Rock Church...home of the 62 foot tall Messiah!

Solid Rock Church - News Article

This photo distorts how close it sits to I-75. It's actually about a football field's length set back.

Quote:

Giant Jesus makes many stop

By Michael D. Clark
Enquirer staff writer

'KING OF KINGS' STATUE
• Standing 62 feet high, with a 42-foot span between the hands, the Solid Rock Church's dramatic statue of Jesus rises out of the ground on the eastern side of Interstate 75 in Monroe.

• Completed in August, the statue will soon be lit by spotlights at night, making it even more visible to passing motorists.

• Church officials say their "King of Kings" statue, which is made of Styrofoam and fiberglass over a steel skeleton, is the largest in America; but Eureka Springs, Ark., claims to have a 67-foot Jesus statue. That statue, however, is largely a tower base and is of smaller scale overall compared to Solid Rock's Messiah, which is a torso-up sculpture. The "King of Kings" also features a 40-foot cross at its base.

• The statue cost about $250,000.

Rising dramatically out of the earth at Solid Rock Church, a 62-foot-tall statue of Jesus gazes toward the heavens with hands open, thrusting high. The visually stunning sight of what's billed as America's largest Jesus statue soon will draw more attention to Monroe, as church officials prepare to light up the six-story-tall religious figure each night.

Since its construction in August, the giant Messiah has become a nationally noted roadside attraction. Newspapers, magazines and travel Web sites have featured it, including one that dubbed it "SuperSavior." It's also turned one of Greater Cincinnati's largest churches - about 4,000 regularly flock to the nondenominational evangelical church in Warren County - into something of a tourist attraction.

"I didn't know it would get this much national attention," Solid Rock Pastor Lawrence Bishop said. "We weren't trying to impress people, we were just trying to help people."

Some locals have grumbled about tackiness or a highway hazard from gawking motorists, but others welcome the spiritual icon and the attention it draws.

Brad Leach, 60, has seen a lot while driving trucks across America for 37 years. But this made an impression.

"I thought I had seen everything there was to see in America from the road, but I never saw anything like that," Leach said during a recent roadside break in Monroe. "I'm not a holy roller, but I think America needs more things like that."

The giant Messiah, which also features a 40-foot cross at its base, is clearly visible on the eastern side of I-75 just north of the Ohio 63 interchange. Bishop's wife and co-founder of the church, Darlene, first brought up the idea, said Bishop, and they formed the plan for their "King of Kings"statue. They have spent about $250,000 to finance it.

The statue is featured on www.roadsideamerica.com (under the "Electric Map" section).

Darlene Bishop said the Jesus figure was built near the highway to act as a beacon of hope and salvation.

"We're living in a day when a lot of people feel hopeless, but we believe that when people see him, they will understand he is the hope for the world," she said.

The church has received hundreds of e-mails from I-75 motorists and truckers from all over America and Canada. Some credit the sight with rekindling their religious spirit. So many have stopped by the Solid Rock campus that church officials had to scramble to build a walkway to accommodate visitors.

"Some people like it, and some don't; but it does get people's attention. It makes you direct your thoughts to God whether you think the statue is neat or not," said Paul Stone, a long-time Solid Rock member from Wilmington, Ohio.

Judy Grant, manager of Sara Jane's restaurant just off the Monroe interchange, worries that too many motorists will slow down to look.

"You see people hit their brakes along that part of I-75 every day. I think the church should have sized it down," said Grant, who drives past the church on her way to work. The church obtained a building permit from Monroe for the statue.

Lt. Michael Sanders of the Lebanon post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said there has been no increase in accidents. The Monroe highway exit also is marked by a Hustler of Hollywood sign for one of Larry Flynt's largest adult stores and a billboard for Bristol's Show Club & Revue adult club that features a lingerie-clad woman.

The Jesus statue "is a pleasant change of atmosphere from what was being projected," Lawrence Bishop said.

Monroe resident MichelePhilpot said she isn't a big fan of the statue but is pleased to see the ambiance interchange tip a bit more toward spirituality. "It kind of evens things out against the Hustler store and Bristol's," Philpot said.

Jimmy Flynt, brother of Larry and president of Hustler Enterprises, said there is plenty of room in the small city of Monroe for both his adult-oriented store and Solid Rock Church's giant statue.

"Lawrence Bishop has his business going on here, and I have my business going on here, and that's the beauty of America," Flynt said.

the_marq · 11-24-2004, 07:29 AM

<img src="http://vh10018.v1.moc.gbahn.net/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20041124&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=411240352&Ref=V1&Profile=1056&MaxW=600&title=1">

The kick is good!

Man, these massive religious artifacts are oustanding, I can't wait for the giant Satan to be built across the road.

itch vaccine · 11-24-2004, 07:31 AM

LoL @ the_marq!

hahaha. >.<

JStrider · 11-24-2004, 07:34 AM

lol... at the_marq

kinda reminds me of the giant sam houston statue right off of 45.... its 60some odd feet tall also...

Averett · 11-24-2004, 11:39 AM

Imagine driving I-75 at night and seeing that out of the corner of your eye? I'd probably freak out and drive off of the road.

Right into the giant Jesus arms.

ObieX · 11-24-2004, 11:50 AM

Looks like he just wants a hug to me. They should have gone with a giant "Buddy Christ" from Dogma.

World's King · 11-24-2004, 11:51 AM

The bigger the Jesus. The better the Christian.

Lebell · 11-24-2004, 11:56 AM

Jesus Christ! (no, really, Jesus Christ!)

animosity · 11-24-2004, 03:02 PM

It seems like that church could have done something better with that $250,000....

For some reason that thread about the ridiculously long burrito that no one could eat comes to mind....

World's King · 11-24-2004, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by animosity

It seems like that church could have done something better with that $250,000....

For some reason that thread about the ridiculously long burrito that no one could eat comes to mind....

What thread was that? I want a burrito.

saut · 11-24-2004, 03:14 PM

That would look really cool in my room...

How hard could it be to steal a 62ft statue of Jesus?

bermuDa · 11-24-2004, 03:16 PM

it was some world record breaking burrito that had to be thrown away because it went bad before it was finished. another waste of resources. http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...argest+burrito

ObieX · 11-24-2004, 03:32 PM

Why feed the hungry when there's giant jeebuses to be built and giant burritos to have rot! weeee!

fhqwhgads · 11-24-2004, 06:32 PM

I'd like one smaller than that, that I could put in my pocket... and it would be all mine... yup... my own, personal Jesus.

(long way for a Depeche Mode joke, I know)

CinnamonGirl · 11-24-2004, 06:35 PM

What's even better is passing the Hustler and the strip club a minute or two later

Blackthorn · 11-24-2004, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CinnamonGirl

What's even better is passing the Hustler and the strip club a minute or two later

Now that is the ultimate irony...the Hustler store and BRISTOL's which is a strip joint (and not a good one) at St. Rt 63 in Monroe just south of this church.

hotzot · 11-25-2004, 01:53 PM

Can they see the Jesus from the strip club?

k925 · 11-26-2004, 02:53 AM

Well, if Jimmy Flynt likes it, it can't be all bad.

That's the same church with the big electronic lighted sign advertising various churchy things.

A couple years ago, I remember driving by one day and seeing the sign frozen- no words, but just a blob of gibberish. After passing it I said "haha! where's your fancy god now?!"

Also, that isn't far from the anatomically correct horse mounted atop the flea market sign, is it not?

One last thing- anyone else find irony in how the church is called "Solid Rock Church" but the statue is made of hollow styrofoam and plexiglass?

tommyboy · 11-26-2004, 08:08 AM

250 g's would feed an awful lot of people in need.

Zeraph · 11-26-2004, 10:15 AM

Such a waste of resources, but cool none the less. We need a giant town with giant everything.

omega2K4 · 11-26-2004, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyboy

250 g's would feed an awful lot of people in need.

But they'd rather have publicity than help out others.

klo · 11-26-2004, 04:51 PM

Woah, what a waste of money, 250 000 can do a lot, like expanding the church instead. Helping others is also a good cause.

Fire · 11-26-2004, 11:44 PM

I cannot wait untill this thing makes its way into the next news story- either a 75 car pileup kills over a dozen, or someone blows it up as a prank........

Macheath · 11-27-2004, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire

...or someone blows it up as a prank........

I don't know how styrofoam and fiberglass would really "blow up".

In other news former Taliban culture minister seen hurting down I-75 on a donkey with a backpack full of cigarette lighters and a magnifying glass.

Mr Cassata · 11-27-2004, 10:49 AM

I also find it ironic that the church is called "Solid Rock", and that there is a strip joint/adult store nearby...

Colin

CinnamonGirl · 11-27-2004, 11:56 AM

I know a few people that go to Solid Rock...and the one time I brought up the "wow, that would've fed a lot of people" point, I was lectured on how much the church does for the needy, more apparently than any other church in the area. So I guess that justifies spending that amount of money

A casino is planned for Monroe, too...right around the same area, I think. Wonder if they'll put up a giant Virign Mary to combat that one?

Scorps · 11-27-2004, 03:55 PM

And to point of making it that big is why?

You could have fit a hockey rink in there nicely

Fremen · 11-27-2004, 05:08 PM

I like it, but it's too small.
Call me when it's Rio-sized.

Christ the Redeemer

NegativeNine · 11-27-2004, 05:12 PM

It almost looks like that trucks about to hit him..
Anyone else ever wondered why Jesus is white when he lived in the middle east? He probably votes republican...

Bobaphat · 11-27-2004, 05:25 PM

It appears as if it was hewn from butter. Seriously, I have made better statues out of paper mache, that thing looks terrible. It doesn't even look like the classical Jesus, as far as I can tell, its just some yellow dude in a bathrobe receiving a punt.

Scorps · 11-27-2004, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fremen

I like it, but it's too small.
Call me when it's Rio-sized.

That is real......WOW!!!!!

thats huge!

Fohur2 · 11-27-2004, 05:56 PM

30meters...on top of a mountain.

Blackthorn · 11-28-2004, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fremen

I like it, but it's too small.
Call me when it's Rio-sized.

Christ the Redeemer

JEEBUS CRIPES! SON OF GOSH!!! CHURCH OF THE HOLY MOLY!!!

That's huuuge

But I hear that a lot...haha

After a trip South on I-75 yesterday I can safely say that yes ... you can see the strip club sign and the Hustler Hollywood store sign from the puny 62 foot fiberglass Jesus.

Strange Famous · 11-28-2004, 08:33 AM

I was also thinking, it doesnt really look like anything that makes you think it's Jesus.

But fair play to them, if they want their own money on it, thats cool. Im sure the last 250,000 USD the strip joint made could have helped a lot of needy people to, rather than go into shareholders pockets!

narf! · 11-28-2004, 12:56 PM

Cool. Tourist trap at best...

null_duality · 11-29-2004, 11:01 PM

evidently having your own personal jesus just doens't work for these folks,

they've economiszed for a one statue fits all.

is this a monument to faith or craven image? I almost call this tasteless.

TheBrit · 11-30-2004, 03:55 AM

I once caught a fish *this* big...

Daoust · 11-30-2004, 04:50 AM

I am of the camp who are saying that it's an awful waste of 250G's. There are a lot of other needy areas, aka missionaries who could make good use of that...

I would also like to comment to people who are making the observation that the statue doesn't look like the 'classical Jesus'. I would like to know where we got the 'classical Jesus' from... the long hair, the beard, etc. I know that the beard is factual, but the long hair thing, I"m not sure of. Also, most pics I've seen of the classic Jesus is as a white guy. I don't think Jesus was white, or Anglo Saxon to be more exact.
I just find it odd that we all sort of visualize Jesus in the same way...the same stereotyped guy. We're such creatures of habit. Anyways, just my observation...

lukethebandgeek · 11-30-2004, 05:12 AM

I drive by that on the way to Cincinatti. That's an interesting stretch of road. The Horse, Jesus, Porn. Gotta love Monroe.

kurtisj · 11-30-2004, 09:41 AM

is a 62ft jesus really worth 250 g's

11-24-2004, 07:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
the_marq All hail the Mountain King Location: Black Mesa	<img src="http://vh10018.v1.moc.gbahn.net/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20041124&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=411240352&Ref=V1&Profile=1056&MaxW=600&title=1"> The kick is good! Man, these massive religious artifacts are oustanding, I can't wait for the giant Satan to be built across the road. __________________ The Truth: Johnny Cash could have kicked Bruce Lee's ass if he wanted to. #3 in a series

11-24-2004, 07:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	lol... at the_marq kinda reminds me of the giant sam houston statue right off of 45.... its 60some odd feet tall also... __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

11-24-2004, 11:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	Imagine driving I-75 at night and seeing that out of the corner of your eye? I'd probably freak out and drive off of the road. Right into the giant Jesus arms. __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

11-24-2004, 11:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
ObieX Pickles Location: Shirt and Pants (NJ)	Looks like he just wants a hug to me. They should have gone with a giant "Buddy Christ" from Dogma. __________________ We Must Dissent.

11-24-2004, 11:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
World's King Here Location: Denver City Denver	The bigger the Jesus. The better the Christian. __________________ heavy is the head that wears the crown

11-24-2004, 07:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
itch vaccine Psycho Location: on my spinning computer chair	LoL @ the_marq! hahaha. >.<

11-24-2004, 11:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
Lebell Cracking the Whip Location: Sexymama's arms...	Jesus Christ! (no, really, Jesus Christ!) __________________ "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis The ONLY sponsors we have are YOU! Please Donate!

11-24-2004, 03:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
animosity on fire Location: Atlanta, GA	It seems like that church could have done something better with that $250,000.... For some reason that thread about the ridiculously long burrito that no one could eat comes to mind....

11-24-2004, 03:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
saut Registered User Location: Pittsburgh	That would look really cool in my room... How hard could it be to steal a 62ft statue of Jesus?

11-24-2004, 03:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
bermuDa don't ignore this--> Location: CA	it was some world record breaking burrito that had to be thrown away because it went bad before it was finished. another waste of resources. http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...argest+burrito __________________ I am the very model of a moderator gentleman.

11-24-2004, 03:32 PM	#13 (permalink)
ObieX Pickles Location: Shirt and Pants (NJ)	Why feed the hungry when there's giant jeebuses to be built and giant burritos to have rot! weeee! __________________ We Must Dissent.

11-24-2004, 06:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
fhqwhgads Junkie	I'd like one smaller than that, that I could put in my pocket... and it would be all mine... yup... my own, personal Jesus. (long way for a Depeche Mode joke, I know)

11-24-2004, 06:35 PM	#15 (permalink)
CinnamonGirl She's Actual Size Location: Central Republic of Where-in-the-Hell	What's even better is passing the Hustler and the strip club a minute or two later __________________ "...for though she was ordinary, she possessed health, wit, courage, charm, and cheerfulness. But because she was not beautiful, no one ever seemed to notice these other qualities, which is so often the way of the world." "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

11-25-2004, 01:53 PM	#17 (permalink)
hotzot We're having potato pancakes! Location: stalag 13	Can they see the Jesus from the strip club? __________________ The Bully Boys are here!

11-26-2004, 02:53 AM	#18 (permalink)
k925 Tilted Location: Inside an econobox	Well, if Jimmy Flynt likes it, it can't be all bad. That's the same church with the big electronic lighted sign advertising various churchy things. A couple years ago, I remember driving by one day and seeing the sign frozen- no words, but just a blob of gibberish. After passing it I said "haha! where's your fancy god now?!" Also, that isn't far from the anatomically correct horse mounted atop the flea market sign, is it not? One last thing- anyone else find irony in how the church is called "Solid Rock Church" but the statue is made of hollow styrofoam and plexiglass? __________________ I can has furburger?

11-26-2004, 08:08 AM	#19 (permalink)
tommyboy Psycho Location: NH	250 g's would feed an awful lot of people in need.

11-26-2004, 10:15 AM	#20 (permalink)
Zeraph Banned Location: The Cosmos	Such a waste of resources, but cool none the less. We need a giant town with giant everything.

11-26-2004, 04:51 PM	#22 (permalink)
klo Tilted	Woah, what a waste of money, 250 000 can do a lot, like expanding the church instead. Helping others is also a good cause.

11-26-2004, 11:44 PM	#23 (permalink)
Fire Warrior Smith Location: missouri	I cannot wait untill this thing makes its way into the next news story- either a 75 car pileup kills over a dozen, or someone blows it up as a prank........ __________________ Thought the harder, Heart the bolder, Mood the more as our might lessens

11-27-2004, 10:49 AM	#25 (permalink)
Mr Cassata Upright	I also find it ironic that the church is called "Solid Rock", and that there is a strip joint/adult store nearby... Colin

11-27-2004, 11:56 AM	#26 (permalink)
CinnamonGirl She's Actual Size Location: Central Republic of Where-in-the-Hell	I know a few people that go to Solid Rock...and the one time I brought up the "wow, that would've fed a lot of people" point, I was lectured on how much the church does for the needy, more apparently than any other church in the area. So I guess that justifies spending that amount of money A casino is planned for Monroe, too...right around the same area, I think. Wonder if they'll put up a giant Virign Mary to combat that one? __________________ "...for though she was ordinary, she possessed health, wit, courage, charm, and cheerfulness. But because she was not beautiful, no one ever seemed to notice these other qualities, which is so often the way of the world." "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

11-27-2004, 03:55 PM	#27 (permalink)
Scorps Lost!! Location: Kingston, Ontario	And to point of making it that big is why? You could have fit a hockey rink in there nicely

11-27-2004, 05:08 PM	#28 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	I like it, but it's too small. Call me when it's Rio-sized. Christ the Redeemer __________________ Google

11-27-2004, 05:12 PM	#29 (permalink)
NegativeNine Tilted	It almost looks like that trucks about to hit him.. Anyone else ever wondered why Jesus is white when he lived in the middle east? He probably votes republican... Last edited by NegativeNine; 11-27-2004 at 05:13 PM.. Reason: ... "rebulican"

11-27-2004, 05:25 PM	#30 (permalink)
Bobaphat whoopity doo Location: Seattle	It appears as if it was hewn from butter. Seriously, I have made better statues out of paper mache, that thing looks terrible. It doesn't even look like the classical Jesus, as far as I can tell, its just some yellow dude in a bathrobe receiving a punt. __________________ --size matters not-- yoda

11-27-2004, 05:56 PM	#32 (permalink)
Fohur2 Crazy	30meters...on top of a mountain.

11-28-2004, 08:33 AM	#34 (permalink)
Strange Famous follower of the child's crusade?	I was also thinking, it doesnt really look like anything that makes you think it's Jesus. But fair play to them, if they want their own money on it, thats cool. Im sure the last 250,000 USD the strip joint made could have helped a lot of needy people to, rather than go into shareholders pockets! __________________ "Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered." The Gospel of Thomas

11-28-2004, 12:56 PM	#35 (permalink)
narf! Upright	Cool. Tourist trap at best...

11-29-2004, 11:01 PM	#36 (permalink)
null_duality Tilted	evidently having your own personal jesus just doens't work for these folks, they've economiszed for a one statue fits all. is this a monument to faith or craven image? I almost call this tasteless.

11-30-2004, 03:55 AM	#37 (permalink)
TheBrit Psycho	I once caught a fish this big...

11-30-2004, 04:50 AM	#38 (permalink)
Daoust "I'm sorry. What was the question?" Location: Paradise Regained	I am of the camp who are saying that it's an awful waste of 250G's. There are a lot of other needy areas, aka missionaries who could make good use of that... I would also like to comment to people who are making the observation that the statue doesn't look like the 'classical Jesus'. I would like to know where we got the 'classical Jesus' from... the long hair, the beard, etc. I know that the beard is factual, but the long hair thing, I"m not sure of. Also, most pics I've seen of the classic Jesus is as a white guy. I don't think Jesus was white, or Anglo Saxon to be more exact. I just find it odd that we all sort of visualize Jesus in the same way...the same stereotyped guy. We're such creatures of habit. Anyways, just my observation... __________________ I have faith in a few things - divinity and grace But even when I'm on my knees I know the devil preys

11-30-2004, 05:12 AM	#39 (permalink)
lukethebandgeek Chicks dig the Saxaphone Location: Nowheresville OH	I drive by that on the way to Cincinatti. That's an interesting stretch of road. The Horse, Jesus, Porn. Gotta love Monroe. __________________ Yes, band camp is all it's cracked up to be. So I like Chrono... So what?

11-30-2004, 09:41 AM	#40 (permalink)
kurtisj Insane Location: The Wick	is a 62ft jesus really worth 250 g's __________________ Marvin the Mountie Always Gets His Kurtisj.