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All the United States North Carolina Davidson Homeless Jesus
AO Edited

Homeless Jesus

The first statue of Christ sleeping on a bench in the United States confused its affluent parish.

Davidson, North Carolina

Added By
Eric Grundhauser
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Homeless Jesus.   Sculptures by Timothy P. Shmalz
Homeless Jesus.   Sculptures by Timothy P. Shmalz
Homeless Jesus.   Sculptures by Timothy P. Shmalz
Homeless Jesus.   Sculptures by Timothy P. Shmalz
Plaque at site of statue.   AdrienneC2 / Atlas Obscura User
  angelmikayla / Atlas Obscura User
  Bedoin1575 / Atlas Obscura User
Wooded trail stations of the cross.   AdrienneC2 / Atlas Obscura User
Face   Bedoin1575 / Atlas Obscura User
Community Garden   AdrienneC2 / Atlas Obscura User
Close up of feet (stigmata showing.)   AdrienneC2 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Installed outside of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Davidson, North Carolina, the statue known as Homeless Jesus is a powerful message about Christ's humble life.

The work of sculptor Timothy P. Shmalz, the life-size statue looks like a shockingly realistic figure almost completely wrapped in a blanket and sleeping on a public bench. The only portion of the figure that is visible are his exposed feet, sticking out in the elements and bearing telltale stigmata. Inspired by a passage from Matthew which extolls Christ's connection with even society's most impoverished citizens, Shmalz wanted to comment on Jesus's spartan hardships. There is even room to sit next to the figure, allowing the faithful to get up close and personal with the sacrifices of their savior. 

The art is a replica of a sculpture Shmalz originally installed in Toronto. The sculptor had also previously sent a smaller version of the work to Vatican City where Pope Francis literally gave it his blessing.

This one, the first full-size, permanent version of the piece to enter the United States, was purchased by a church in Davidson, North Carolina. Upon its installation, the shrouded Christ figure almost immediately began having the police called on it as citizens mistook the statue for an actual vagrant.

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Statues Monuments

Community Contributors

Added By

EricGrundhauser

Edited By

Bedoin1575, strudel4, AdrienneC2, angelmikayla

  • Bedoin1575
  • strudel4
  • AdrienneC2
  • angelmikayla

Published

April 15, 2014

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Sources
  • http://www.npr.org/2014/04/13/302019921/statue-of-a-homeless-jesus-startles-a-wealthy-community
  • http://www.businessinsider.com/homeless-jesus-statue-in-davidson-nc-2014-4
  • http://www.wcnc.com/news/neighborhood-news/Homeless-Jesus-sculpture-sparks-controversy-247134691.html
Homeless Jesus
301 Caldwell Lane
Davidson, North Carolina, 28036
United States
35.493594, -80.832244
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

North Carolina's 12th Congressional District

Mooresville, North Carolina

miles away

Carolina Raptor Center

Huntersville, North Carolina

miles away

Lake Norman

Troutman, North Carolina

miles away

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Photo of North Carolina

North Carolina

United States

Places 199
Stories 34

Nearby Places

North Carolina's 12th Congressional District

Mooresville, North Carolina

miles away

Carolina Raptor Center

Huntersville, North Carolina

miles away

Lake Norman

Troutman, North Carolina

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of North Carolina

North Carolina

United States

Places 199
Stories 34

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