Homeless Jesus
For six weeks in the fall of 2020, through a collaboration with the Community West Foundation, a statue of “Homeless Jesus” was temporarily installed at St. Barnabas adjacent to the walking path at Bradley Road Park in Bay Village. The sculpture, created by Timothy Schmalz, depicts a man wrapped in a blanket and lying on a bench. Feet, protruding from beneath the blanket, bear the wounds of crucifixion. The work is a visual representation of Matthew 25:40, the verse quoted at the base of the sculpture: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Homeless Jesus was on loan from the Community West Foundation, the largest provider of funding for homeless services in Cuyahoga County. Click here to learn more about this particular sculpture’s history of visiting churches in western Cuyahoga County.
The parish leadership had several goals for the installation:
It reminds us that, even though homelessness is a not a significant problem in our immediate neighborhood, we don’t have to drive far to find those in tremendous need. Perhaps the statue will inspire those who see it to take action and help.
The statue represents our belief that all people are created in the image of God and that all life holds sacred worth – even those lives often discarded by society.
Seeing Jesus depicted this way reminds us that Jesus identified with the outcast and marginalized in his own day. He spent much of his time with tax collectors and prostitutes, largely to the chagrin of polite society.
Finally, maybe the sculpture will make us a bit kinder and gentler with one another, less eager to pass judgement on others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did someone really call the police on the sculpture of Jesus?
Yes, within just a few minutes of the statue’s arrival, the police were dispatched to investigate a report of a man sleeping on a park bench. This is apparently a common issue with various Homeless Jesus installations around the US and Canada. The caller surely contacted the police out of genuine concern and the responding officer was excellent: he was extremely professional and eager to learn more about the sculpture and its intended message. We have nothing but gratitude and respect for the Bay Village Police Department. Click here to view a statement from the BVPD.
This reaction to the sculpture speaks to its power as public art. Responses to Homeless Jesus will vary and we are pleased that the sculpture is sparking conversation about how we can best serve those in need.
Why is this needed when there are actual people sleeping on park benches?
Part of what makes this particular installation powerful is that it is in a location where homelessness is not an issue residents are forced to consider on a regular basis. Bay Village is largely insulated from extreme poverty, so seeing a man sleeping on a park bench in this neighborhood is jarring.
Is this anti-homeless hostile architecture?
The bench is part of the sculpture and is not taking space away from any of the numerous benches available in the immediate area. This sculpture is not diminishing anyone’s ability to rest on a park bench. Additionally, we do not believe that providing more park benches is an actual solution to homelessness.
Couldn’t the money be better spent providing direct services to those in need?
As noted above, our goals are about far more than just raising money. Our goals are about raising a general level of awareness about both homelessness and the sacred worth of all life, which we believe can have a significant impact over time. Additionally, the only cost to St. Barnabas for the installation was a minimal fee to have the sculpture moved into place. The presence of Homeless Jesus has already led to donations far exceeding the cost of the move. Those generous gifts were used to support the Community West Foundation, who owns the statue, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, our ministry partners in inner-city Cleveland. Both organizations provide direct services to those experiencing homelessness.