MONROE, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio church says a giant Jesus statue is on schedule to be installed next month, replacing one that was destroyed in a lightning fire.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the new Jesus statue will be installed outside the Solid Rock Church in Monroe along Interstate 75 in September.
The first statue was destroyed more than two years ago after it was hit by lightning. It depicted a waist-up Jesus with arms uplifted, and had the nickname "Touchdown Jesus," or "Big Butter Jesus" for its creamy color.
Artists are finishing the sculpture that will be 50 feet tall and weigh seven tons. The structure is designed to withstand wind shears of 110 mph. And a lightning-suppression system is also in place--just in case.
The concrete-looking statue, a full-bodied Jesus with arms reaching out, is being built at a factory near Dayton. The newspaper reports one sculptor says it's already received the nickname, "Hug Me Jesus."
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