‘Homeless Jesus’ finds home on Indy park bench

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A sculpture of a religious figure wrapped in a blanket will be installed on a park bench in downtown Indianapolis in August.

‘Homeless Jesus’ is a bronze sculpture by Canadian artist Timothy P. Schmalz that depicts a figure lying huddled under a blanket with only bare, pierced feet exposed.

According to the artist, that feature identifies the figure as the Christian religious symbol, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

The Roberts Park United Methodist Church is donating part of their land to have the sculpture installed. They are hoping to bring awareness to the city’s homeless population.

The Indianapolis sculpture is one of many installations, and at the Buffalo, New York statue church members and clergy said items left for their statue have included money, food, books, a Buffalo Bills cap and a scarf. The church collects the items each day and donates them to a local organization that helps the homeless.

A campaign has been launched to raise money for the statue and local charities with a goal of $150,000 and the donations will be used to cover the cost of the sculpture and its installation with any remaining funds split between the four local homeless outreach programs.

The church stated that the statue will cost less than $50,000 and that the additional $100,000 is being sought to give to Soup’s On, Wheeler Mission, Outreach Inc. and the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic.

To donate to the project, click here.