A bolt of lightning once turned a 62-foot statue of Jesus into a towering bonfire right beside a busy interstate. Drivers watched it burn.
By morning, only a blackened steel skeleton stood above the pond.
The statue had been a famous roadside sight for years. People gave it funny nicknames, and a comedy song even made it a cult legend.
Then a summer storm in 2010 ended the whole story in one dramatic night.
I love what happened next. The church didn’t give up or quietly move on.
It built a brand-new figure, and this time it came with lightning protection.
Today, a different statue greets travelers in southwest Ohio, standing with its arms stretched wide beside Interstate 75. The unusual story behind its replacement has made this roadside landmark just as memorable as the original, with a surprising lesson in how to rebuild after a lightning strike.
The Night a Storm Set Fire To a Roadside Legend
June 14, 2010, started like any stormy summer evening in southwest Ohio. Then lightning hit the giant statue at Solid Rock Church, and flames shot into the sky.
The figure was called King of Kings, though most people knew it by nicknames. Folks called it Touchdown Jesus because its arms were raised high, like a referee signaling a score.
The statue stood about 62 feet tall beside Interstate 75. It showed Jesus from the chest up, rising from the water of a pond.
Its size made it impossible to miss from the highway.
Here’s the problem. The statue was built from foam and fiberglass over a steel frame, and those materials burn fast.
Once the fire started, there was little anyone could do. Firefighters responded, but the statue was mostly gone within a short time.
Smoke and flames lit up the night for passing drivers.
The next day, only the charred steel frame remained. Photos of that bare skeleton spread across the news fast.
For a church famous for its statue, that was a stunning loss. Still, the story was far from over, and the next chapter turned out to be brighter.
Nicknames Made the First Statue a Pop Culture Star
Few churches get a comedy song written about their landmark. The King of Kings statue earned that honor, and it gained a whole fan club of jokes along the way.
Completed in 2004, the statue quickly became one of the most talked-about sights on I-75. Drivers heading between Cincinnati and Dayton could not help but stare.
Its raised arms inspired the nickname Touchdown Jesus. That name came from a famous mural at the University of Notre Dame with a similar pose.
Another nickname stuck even harder. Comedian Heywood Banks wrote a funny song calling it Big Butter Jesus, and the label spread far and wide.
Why butter? The statue’s creamy, smooth color reminded some folks of a giant butter sculpture at a county fair.
Once people heard the joke, they could never unsee it.
Love it or laugh at it, the statue became a true roadside icon. Travelers planned stops just to take pictures beside the pond.
That fame is exactly why the fire made national headlines. When a beloved oddball landmark disappears, people notice.
Plenty of travelers felt like they had lost an old friend on the highway.
Meet the Brighter Replacement Called Light of the World
Rebuilding was never really in question for the congregation. In September 2012, a new statue was unveiled, and it looked completely different from the old one.
The new figure is named Lux Mundi, which is Latin for Light of the World. Instead of rising from the water at the chest, it shows Jesus in full figure.
Its arms stretch outward in a welcoming pose. The look feels calmer and more inviting than the old touchdown signal.
The new statue stands about 52 feet tall. That makes it shorter than the original, but its full-body design gives it a strong presence beside the highway.
Cincinnati-area sculptor Tom Tsuchiya helped bring the design to life. He’s known in the region for other large sculptures, so the project landed in experienced hands.
I like how the name ties right back to the story. A statue lost to fire was replaced by one called Light of the World.
That’s a pretty clever comeback, whether or not anyone planned the irony.
The change also gave travelers a fresh reason to look again. Even longtime I-75 commuters had something new to spot on their drive.
Fire-Resistant Materials and a Plan for the Next Storm
Lightning rarely gives second chances, so the church planned ahead this time. The new statue was designed with lightning protection built in.
That was a smart lesson learned the hard way. The first statue had foam inside, which acted almost like kindling once the bolt struck.
Lux Mundi uses fire-resistant materials instead. The goal was simple: keep a single storm from wiping out years of work again.
Ohio gets plenty of summer thunderstorms. A tall figure standing in an open field next to water makes an easy target for lightning.
Adding protection gives that energy a safer path to the ground. Rather than burning through the statue, a strike can be directed away from the main structure.
Here’s a fun takeaway for homeowners too. Tall objects on open land attract lightning, which is why barns, towers, and steeples often have rods.
So the new statue is more than a pretty replacement. It’s a giant reminder that planning matters, especially when nature throws surprises your way.
Good luck finding a better real-life science lesson on a road trip. Kids in the backseat might even ask smart questions about it.
You Can Spot It From the Highway, but Stopping Is Better
Most people first meet this statue at highway speed. It rises beside I-75 in Warren County, and it tends to make heads turn in every lane.
Solid Rock Church sits at 903 Union Rd, Lebanon, OH 45036. Many folks connect it with Monroe because it sits right by that stretch of the interstate.
The location sits between Cincinnati and Dayton. That makes it an easy stop for travelers heading through southwest Ohio.
Seeing it at 70 miles per hour is fun. Seeing it up close is a whole different experience, because the size really sinks in when you stand nearby.
The campus has a pond beside the statue, which adds a peaceful feel. The water reflects the figure on calm days, giving photographers a nice bonus shot.
A quick tip helps here. Be respectful, since this is an active church campus and not a theme park.
Stay on paths and avoid blocking traffic while snapping pictures. If services are happening, give worshippers plenty of room.
A few calm minutes here can break up a long drive nicely. Stretching your legs never looked this dramatic.
A Church Known for Music and Big Celebrations
Statues grab attention, but the building next to it is a working church. Solid Rock Church was founded by Lawrence and Darlene Bishop, and it grew into a large congregation.
Music plays a big role in services here. The church has a choir and worship team, and the style leans lively and energetic.
The congregation is Pentecostal in style. That often means expressive worship, strong preaching, and plenty of singing.
New Year’s Eve services have been a well-known tradition. Ringing in the year at church is a fun alternative to staying up with the television.
The church has also hosted concerts and special events. Christian bands have performed here over the years, which brings in music fans from around the region.
Families will find Sunday school and programs for kids. Having options for younger visitors makes it easier for parents to attend together.
Thinking about visiting a service? Check the church’s current schedule first, since times and events can change.
Arriving a little early is a smart move at any large church. You’ll have time to park, find a seat, and look around calmly.
Turn the Stop Into a Southwest Ohio Day Trip
A giant statue makes a great first stop, but the area offers plenty more. Solid Rock Church sits near several easy add-ons in southwest Ohio.
Shoppers will like Cincinnati Premium Outlets in Monroe. It sits close to the same stretch of I-75, so you won’t waste time driving.
Thrill seekers can head toward Mason. Kings Island, one of the Midwest’s best-known amusement parks, is a short drive south.
History fans should check out downtown Lebanon. The city is home to The Golden Lamb, known as one of Ohio’s oldest continuously operating inns.
Lebanon’s downtown also has antique shops and small local stores. Strolling those streets makes a relaxed afternoon after a morning of sightseeing.
Here’s a simple plan. See the statue first, grab lunch nearby, then pick shopping, rides, or history for the afternoon.
Families with mixed interests can split the day easily. Everyone gets something, and nobody spends hours stuck in the car.
Honestly, few road trips start with a better story. Tell the kids about the lightning strike before arriving, and watch them stare out the window.
Why This Comeback Story Still Wins People Over
Plenty of landmarks fade after such events. This one bounced back with a new name, a new pose, and better protection against the very thing that ended it.
That arc is what makes the story stick. Lightning struck, a roadside legend burned, and the church answered with Lux Mundi two years later.
I can’t imagine many places turning a fiery loss into such a hopeful symbol. The open-armed pose almost feels like a welcome to everyone driving by.
There’s a useful lesson buried here too. When something falls apart, rebuilding smarter often works better than rebuilding the same way.
The first statue taught a hard lesson about foam and fiberglass. The second one put that knowledge to work with fire-resistant materials and lightning protection.
People still bring up Big Butter Jesus with a grin. Now they can follow it with the twist about the brand-new statue standing in its place.
Next time you drive I-75 through Ohio, keep your eyes on the roadside. That wide-armed figure near the pond has quite a tale behind it.
And now you know the whole thing, from bolt to rebirth.
