Christ of the Wichitas, (sculpture).

Christ of the Wichitas, (sculpture).

Saevi, Giorgio, sculptor.

Coody, N. Lewis, sculptor.

Noel Cricca Company, fabricator.

Lawton Monument Company, contractor.

Al Swann Concrete Construction Company, contractor.

Barrett Brothers Crane Service, contractor.

Christ of the Wichitas, (sculpture).

Commissioned ca. 1969-1970. Dedicated Nov. 9, 1975.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: Carrara white marble; Base: granite.

Sculpture: approx. 11 x 4 x 2 ft.; Base: 12 x 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 ft. (12,000 lbs.).

(On granite plaque on front of base:) CHRIST OF THE OZARKS/IN MEMORY OF/MARK WALLOCK/DEDICATED TO THE CHILDREN/OF THE LAND/NOV. 9, 1975 (On granite plaque on north side of base:) THE ABOVE STONE IS FROM/THE MOUNT OF OLIVES NEAR/JERUSALEM ON WHICH CHRIST/WAS CRUCIFIED unsigned

A figure of Christ dressed in a floor-length robe that is belted around the waist. A cloak covers his shoulders and back. His arms extend downward at his sides with his hands open, palms facing outward. He stands with his proper left knee bent and heel raised. The sculpture is placed atop a tall stone base.

Religion -- New Testament -- Christ

Allegory -- Place -- Wichita Mountains

Outdoor Sculpture -- Oklahoma -- Medicine Park

Administered by Holy City of the Wichitas, Resident Caretaker, Box 335, Medicine Park, Oklahoma 73557

Located Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge, On the edge of the set of the Passion Play, Medicine Park, Oklahoma

The sculpture was commissioned by the 1000 Club in the late 1960s. The sculpture is the realization of the dream of Rev. Mark Wallock, founder of the Easter Sunrise Service Association, whose last wish was to see a sculpture of Christ gazing over the Holy City. In 1946, an unsuccessful attempt was made by the Oklahoma Junior Chamber of Commerce to obtain funds for a proposed sculpture to rival that of the "Christ of the Andes." The dream was kept alive through the determination and prayers of Mrs. Smith, Holy City's resident hostess, and George Hutchins. In 1969, school students visiting the Holy City saw the sign designating the site for the sculpture and began sending pennies, nickels, and dimes. When $400 had been collected, a committee was formed, the money was deposited in the bank, and letters were sent out seeking further solicitations. $10,300 was collected with the sculpture costing $9,875.

The sculpture was sent from Carrara marble quarries in Italy and was brought to Lawton by The Lawton Monument Company. Al Swann Concrete Construction Company poured the base and Barrett Brothers Crane Service was responsible for hoisting the sculpture in place. IAS files contain a related article from the Lawton Constitution, Nov. 10, 1975, pg. 1-4.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Oklahoma survey, 1996.

Lawton Constitution, Nov. 10, 1975, pg. 1.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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