The statue was known as "Big Butter Jesus" because of the light yellow Styrofoam material. Image from Wikimedia Commons.
During a thunderstorm in Monroe, Ohio, last night, the “Big Butter Jesus” statue — otherwise known as “Touchdown Jesus” — was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. When Touchdown Jesus was on fire, the statue managed to ignite a part of the Lawrence Bishop Music Theater at the Solid Rock Church as well. While nobody was injured, the fire damage to the Big Butter Jesus statue and theater were estimated at $700,000.
Touchdown Jesus on fire after lightning strike
At six stories tall, and built with a steel frame, the Touchdown Jesus statue was definitely one of the tallest structures in the area. When a large thunderstorm brewed in the area, lightning struck the statue. The fiberglass and Styrofoam that gave the Big Butter Jesus statue its characteristic look were easily ignited. Fire crews were on the scene within six minutes of receiving the call that Solid Rock Church and Touchdown Jesus were on fire.
Damages to Solid Rock Church
The non-denominational Solid Rock Church of Monroe, Ohio, is the home of the Touchdown Jesus statue. The 62- foot tower of flames also started the nearby theater on fire. There was no major damage to the building, but a significant amount of audio equipment in the building was lost to the fire and smoke damage. At a press conference this morning, the Solid Rock Church representatives and fire department revealed that the damage will most likely cost about $700,000 to repair. The church does intend on “fully rebuilding” everything that was damaged – including Big Butter Jesus.
Renovations planned for Big Butter Jesus
The “King of Kings” statue – better known as Big Butter Jesus – was originally built in 2004. The sculpture was designed and created by James Lynch, a sculptor who has worked for Caesar’s Palace and Disney World. The Big Butter Jesus was slated for restoration work later this year. One thing is sure, though, if the Solid Rock Church wants Touchdown Jesus to end up in the Guinness Book of World Records, fire gives them a chance to re-compete for the “World’s Largest Christ” title.
i agree with you sister.as far as i can tell god has the greatest sense of humor.there's a time to be serious hten up.h,so ligand a time to laug
i think god was angry at the dumb people who made up the song and the name touch down Jesus its disrespectful so not cool of people to do this it was supposed to be a statue not a laughing stock god is ticked off
Funny Joke About Butter Jesus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV9D0XqpBIE
hi there
look what happened , is this God ( pepole believe ),The Light from real God to let the pepole to think about him and open there mind .
ismail
Here is a good picture of what the remains look like now:
http://www.bofads.com/stories/bindystatue.htm
Poor big butter Jesus!
If you ask me that church is on fire with the “Holy Spirit”.
Jesus will come back with fire and his light and fire burn for the hole world to see not one lightning bolt rains down without (God) making it so.
Luke 3:16 (King James Version)
16John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
So Rob, you're suggesting via scripture that Jesus was against butter? Perhaps it's the trans fats…
LOL!
Whoa! Zeus really touched down on this one.
I think that they should rebuild but this time make it a giant golden calf. Something about “constructing graven images”.
You know why,Because churches are business, just like any other business but they have the benefit of not paying taxes.And that "symbol" helped them sale their product.
I also agree!!!! spen the money on people that need it. That would be more pleasing to God I would think than a statue
"While nobody was injured, the fire damage to the Big Butter Jesus statue and theater were estimated at $700,000."
Why don't we feed or cloth people instead of wasting the money on a "symbol". Come on people.