Monroe church to rebuild King of Kings Jesus statue

MONROE, Ohio - Leaders of Monroe’s Solid Rock Church vow to rebuild the six-story statue many called “Touchdown Jesus” or “Big Butter Jesus.”

The image of Jesus that is officially called “King of Kings” was destroyed in a Monday night fire that began when lightning struck its raised right hand.

It was built in 2004 at a cost of $250,000 and had a steel framework around which styrofoam and fiberglass were molded.

Monroe Fire Chief Mark Neu estimated damage at $700,000 to the 62-foot tall statute and an adjacent amphitheater, where the roof was heavily damaged along with equipment for an upcoming Fourth of July celebration. Both structures were insured.

“The fire burned very quick and very hot,” said Chief Neu. “The first engine company made advancement to the fire, but had to back out due to the heat.”

Both the statue and amphitheater were equipped with lightning rods and were grounded, but they apparently couldn’t handle the force of Mother Nature’s fury.

“It should have, but it didn’t,” said Chief Neu. “A lot of times as you know in your homes or other places, lightning goes a whole lot of different directions within a structure.”

Darlene Bishop, wife of Solid Rock Church Pastor and Founder Lawrence Bishop, said she was grateful that none of the firefighters was hurt.

“We don’t grieve over fiberglass,” Bishop added. Instead, she asked others to remember flooding victims in Arkansas and Oklahoma or the people of the Gulf Coast affected by the ongoing oil spill.

“King of Kings” could easily be seen from I-75 and drivers were stopping along the highway Tuesday to see the fire-damaged remains.

Troopers from the Hamilton Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol were constantly stopping and writing tickets because of safety concerns from other motorists whizzing by at 60 mph.

Members of Solid Rock Church and people from all over Southwestern Ohio showed up to take pictures and talk about the loss of the landmark.

They strolled around the walkway built to handle the crowds interested in visiting the statue, which dominated the church grounds.

“It’s a tragedy,” said Keith Lewis of Middletown. “It’s been fun to know that you’re almost home when you see it coming up from Kentucky and Tennessee when you take a trip.”

Monroe resident Joe Yurasek wondered aloud what Jesus would have thought of the statue.

“Things come and go and this is only a statue,” he said. “What it symbolizes is what is most important.”

Yurasek pointed out that the statue was well known around the world. In fact, he recalled seeing an article in Travel and Leisure magazine that mentioned it.

Chief Neu said the church has gotten phone calls or e-mails from as far away as China asking questions about “King of King” and whether it will be rebuilt.

Church leaders say they've received calls, letters and emails that this statue accomplished much of what they hoped for.

Pastor Lawrence Bishop explained, "Stories that people were going to commit suicide and they were driving down the highway and saw those arms outstretched, and it reminded them that there is maybe someone that loves them so they claim that it saved their life."

Pastor Deborah Hooks of the Higher Ground Church in Springfield Township stopped to see the damage on her way back to Cincinnati from Dayton. She said she’s praying for the congregation and the Pastor.

Many people joked about the statue, but to Pastor Hooks it was all about hope.

“We can’t get caught up in the negativity of it all,” she said. “I’m sure God gave them a vision and the reason for establishing it in the first place and I just keep it right there.”

Ask whether the lightning strike from the heavens to a statue of Jesus had a specific interpretation, Pastor Hooks replied, “We don’t know the mind of God, but I say God’s hand is in everything and everything happens for a reason.”

"The first Jesus was resurrected in three days. It's going to take us a little longer than three days but he will be back. He's like the Terminator. He's coming back," said Pastor Bishop.