Police: Lightning Sets 6-Story-Tall Jesus Statue on Fire - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 06-16-2010, 01:37 AM

http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-news-li...,2295464.story

By Associated Press
11:12 PM EDT, June 15, 2010

MONROE, Ohio (AP) - A six-story-tall statue of Jesus Christ with his arms raised along an Ohio highway was struck by lightning in a thunderstorm Monday night and burned to the ground, police said.

The "King of Kings" statue, one of southwest Ohio's most familiar landmarks, had stood since 2004 at the evangelical Solid Rock Church along Interstate 75 in Monroe, just north of Cincinnati.

The lightning strike set the statue ablaze around 11:15 p.m., Monroe police dispatchers said.

The sculpture, 62 feet tall and 40 feet wide at the base, showed Jesus from the torso up and was nicknamed Touchdown Jesus because of the way his arms were raised, as though reaching out to catch a football. It was made of plastic foam and fiberglass over a steel frame, which is all that remained early Tuesday.

The fire spread from the statue to an adjacent amphitheater but was confined to the attic area, and no one was injured, police Chief Mark Neu said. The fire department would release a monetary damage estimate Tuesday, he said.

Travelers on Interstate 75 often were startled to come upon the huge statue by the roadside, but many said America needs more symbols like it. So many people stopped at the church campus that church officials had to build a walkway to accommodate them.

The 4,000-member, nondenominational church was founded by former horse trader Lawrence Bishop and his wife. Bishop said in 2004 he was trying to help people, not impress them, with the statue. He said his wife proposed the Jesus figure as a beacon of hope and salvation and they spent about $250,000 to finance it.

Marvo301 · 06-16-2010, 02:04 AM

Think God was trying to send them a message? Maybe they should be spending their money on doing God's work instead of building God's image.

"Cursed is the man who carves an image or casts an idol - a thing detestable to the Lord.
Deuteronomy 27:15

Adamantium · 06-16-2010, 08:41 AM

I've only seen that thing a couple of times in my life but it creeped me out. I'm not saying I'm glad it was destroyed, just that it creeped me out. Of course thinking about it on fire also creeps me out. Thinking about it's "skeleton" still over there creeps me out.

catlover79 · 06-16-2010, 12:03 PM

What's even more ironic is that the Jesus statue was hit by lightning and destroyed, but the Hustler store across the street was spared!!

Cactus Jack · 06-16-2010, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

What's even more ironic is that the Jesus statue was hit by lightning and destroyed, but the Hustler store across the street was spared!!

God's been on the Viagra I guess LOL

robyrob · 06-16-2010, 05:17 PM

i've seen the thing millions of times, but most people call it the "Big Butter Jesus" because of the color and the song on the Bob and Tom show, but they just can't stop talking about the thing on the local news here - they should be more thankful that no one was hurt and that none of the other property was damaged, it was right beside where they have their women's shelter.

cyberalias81 · 06-16-2010, 09:23 PM

Quote:

It was made of plastic foam and fiberglass over a steel frame, which is all that remained early Tuesday.

A picture of the remains.

catlover79 · 06-17-2010, 12:51 AM

^ That's just not right.

catlover79 · 07-11-2010, 11:21 PM

http://www.fox8.com/news/sns-ap-oh--...,4747875.story

Ohio church officials eye new design to replace giant Jesus statue destroyed by lightning
By Associated Press
11:42 AM EDT, July 10, 2010

MONROE, Ohio (AP) — Church officials in Ohio have come up with a new design to replace a giant statue of Jesus that was destroyed by lightning.

A tentative plan calls for the new statute to be made out of limestone, instead of the combustible wood and plastic foam-frame that supported the old structure.

The new monument outside the Solid Rock Church in Monroe also will likely resemble Jesus' full body, instead of just a bust.

Co-pastor Darlene Bishop says she's excited about the new look.

A lightning strike on June 14 sparked a fire that burned down the 62-foot fiberglass statue nicknamed Touchdown Jesus because of the way the arms were raised. The six-story statue overlooked Interstate 75 and was one of southwest Ohio's most familiar landmarks.

___

Information from: Dayton Daily News, http://www.daytondailynews.com

PlayOn · 07-12-2010, 11:03 PM

Have you seen the statue, Monika, you being an Ohioian and all?

catlover79 · 07-12-2010, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayOn

Have you seen the statue, Monika, you being an Ohioian and all?

No, because it's on the other side of the state. Maybe someday, though.

PlayOn · 07-13-2010, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

No, because it's on the other side of the state. Maybe someday, though.

Oh, yea. That'd be cool. If you do, post pictures.

LOL

06-16-2010, 01:37 AM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Police: Lightning Sets 6-Story-Tall Jesus Statue on Fire http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-news-li...,2295464.story By Associated Press 11:12 PM EDT, June 15, 2010 MONROE, Ohio (AP) - A six-story-tall statue of Jesus Christ with his arms raised along an Ohio highway was struck by lightning in a thunderstorm Monday night and burned to the ground, police said. The "King of Kings" statue, one of southwest Ohio's most familiar landmarks, had stood since 2004 at the evangelical Solid Rock Church along Interstate 75 in Monroe, just north of Cincinnati. The lightning strike set the statue ablaze around 11:15 p.m., Monroe police dispatchers said. The sculpture, 62 feet tall and 40 feet wide at the base, showed Jesus from the torso up and was nicknamed Touchdown Jesus because of the way his arms were raised, as though reaching out to catch a football. It was made of plastic foam and fiberglass over a steel frame, which is all that remained early Tuesday. The fire spread from the statue to an adjacent amphitheater but was confined to the attic area, and no one was injured, police Chief Mark Neu said. The fire department would release a monetary damage estimate Tuesday, he said. Travelers on Interstate 75 often were startled to come upon the huge statue by the roadside, but many said America needs more symbols like it. So many people stopped at the church campus that church officials had to build a walkway to accommodate them. The 4,000-member, nondenominational church was founded by former horse trader Lawrence Bishop and his wife. Bishop said in 2004 he was trying to help people, not impress them, with the statue. He said his wife proposed the Jesus figure as a beacon of hope and salvation and they spent about $250,000 to finance it.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

06-16-2010, 02:04 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,461	Think God was trying to send them a message? Maybe they should be spending their money on doing God's work instead of building God's image. "Cursed is the man who carves an image or casts an idol - a thing detestable to the Lord. Deuteronomy 27:15
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

06-16-2010, 05:17 PM	#6
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,219	i've seen the thing millions of times, but most people call it the "Big Butter Jesus" because of the color and the song on the Bob and Tom show, but they just can't stop talking about the thing on the local news here - they should be more thankful that no one was hurt and that none of the other property was damaged, it was right beside where they have their women's shelter.
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07-11-2010, 11:21 PM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Update http://www.fox8.com/news/sns-ap-oh--...,4747875.story Ohio church officials eye new design to replace giant Jesus statue destroyed by lightning By Associated Press 11:42 AM EDT, July 10, 2010 MONROE, Ohio (AP) — Church officials in Ohio have come up with a new design to replace a giant statue of Jesus that was destroyed by lightning. A tentative plan calls for the new statute to be made out of limestone, instead of the combustible wood and plastic foam-frame that supported the old structure. The new monument outside the Solid Rock Church in Monroe also will likely resemble Jesus' full body, instead of just a bust. Co-pastor Darlene Bishop says she's excited about the new look. A lightning strike on June 14 sparked a fire that burned down the 62-foot fiberglass statue nicknamed Touchdown Jesus because of the way the arms were raised. The six-story statue overlooked Interstate 75 and was one of southwest Ohio's most familiar landmarks. ___ Information from: Dayton Daily News, http://www.daytondailynews.com

07-12-2010, 11:03 PM	#10
PlayOn ADHD: what I have not who I am Senior Member Join Date: Jun 17, 2006 Location: I'll never tell. :p Posts: 2,745	Have you seen the statue, Monika, you being an Ohioian and all?
	__________________ Have you heard the ? Jesus saves!!!

06-16-2010, 08:41 AM	#3
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,840	I've only seen that thing a couple of times in my life but it creeped me out. I'm not saying I'm glad it was destroyed, just that it creeped me out. Of course thinking about it on fire also creeps me out. Thinking about it's "skeleton" still over there creeps me out.

06-16-2010, 12:03 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	What's even more ironic is that the Jesus statue was hit by lightning and destroyed, but the Hustler store across the street was spared!!

06-17-2010, 12:51 AM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	^ That's just not right.