The St Michael monument project actually began in the late 1990’s when a generous and pious real estate developer donated a piece of land and agreed to supply the funding for a one and a quarter life size statue of St Michael the Archangel. Acclaimed sacred artist and sculptor Matthew Brooks was commissioned to do the statue and design the pedestal. Work began on the project and the clay original was actually almost completed as was the 6 foot high concrete and bronze pedestal. The pictures here on this site are of the work in progress 15 years ago.
Disaster Strikes
Just as preparations were underway to make the molds used to cast the statue a series of catastrophic events occurred that can only be described as diabolical. The local real estate market went flat, funding dried up, the artist was struck with a serious illness, and due to these and a host of other reasons that all bear the mark of the hand of St Michael’s ancient adversary, the project eventually had to be abandoned. It was a sad and discouraging time for all concerned.
You are probably thinking, “How could God let this happen?” Sculptor, Matthew Brooks, says that at the time and for a long time after he wondered the same thing, ” I basically gave up.” he says, “Even after I recovered from my illness my heart wasn’t in my work anymore. Projects lapsed, commissions dried up, I blamed God, I blamed the others involved in the project, I blamed everyone but myself I guess. It’s hard to convey what it’s like to watch a project of this magnitude tumble and fall, to just get shredded. I really put everything I had into it and experiencing the devil at work in such an up close and personal way is a terrifying thing.”
From the Ashes Rise
But this project has never been far from the artist’s mind. “It won’t let go of me. I think about it all the time. I know I will not be able to rest until it is finally done,” he said. “I’m ready to do this now. I wasn’t for a long time, but I feel like I have come through my own personal darkness and out the other side.” Brooks doesn’t expect the road forward to be easy but he is confident that with the prayers of the donors and the interested public by the grace of God they will overcome the obstacles that are sure to be placed in their path. “A healthy dose of ‘work as if everything depends on you, and pray as if everything depends on God’ is what’s needed here.”
We Need Your Help
Together we can make this happen. Donate what you can – everyone who donates will have their name inscribed on one of the bronze plaques on the pedestal base. There are plenty of other incentives as well. See the incentives section for details.
We also need your prayers. These are of vital importance if we are to succeed!
Spread The Word!
Everyone knows someone else who would be willing to help. We need a grassroots type of spiritual activism here. Use social media, consider getting the project mentioned in your church bulletin, send a press release in to your local paper, email friends and relatives. Spreading the word is vital to the success of the project. I am sure God will bless you for your efforts, and you will be in our prayers as well.