Ohio church set to replace massive Jesus statue

MONROE, Ohio (AP) — The towering roadside Jesus statue consumed by a lightning fire in southwest Ohio will get a replacement later this summer.

A new 51-foot statue should be in place by late July at the Solid Rock Church along Interstate 75. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports several sculpture pieces will be made at a plant near Dayton in the next two weeks and then trucked to the Monroe site for assembly.

The previous statue was ruined when it was hit by lightning two years ago this month. It depicted a waist-up Jesus with arms uplifted, drawing the nickname “Touchdown Jesus,” or “Big Butter Jesus” for its creamy color.

The new version will have a full-bodied Jesus with arms reaching out, as if beckoning. It is being constructed with fire-resistant material.