Groups rally to protect the fate of Jesus statue
After eons of being seen as a savior to countless people, it is now Jesus who is in need of saving.
The statue of Jesus Christ atop Chair 2 at the Whitefish Mountain Resort on Big Mountain has recently been in danger of being removed by the U.S. Forest Service after decades of service as a memorial for World War II veterans.
This action has prompted Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg to become an advocate for the sacred statue.
“The Veterans Jesus Memorial has united Democrats and Republicans, Christians, Jews and Atheists, even skiers and snowboarders in support of this important piece of the local culture,” Rehberg said. “That’s because it stands for so much. It’s not just a statue of Jesus, but a memorial of appreciation for the veterans who fought to make this country free. It’s a meeting place in the middle of a day of skiing and a place for quiet contemplation overlooking the valley below. And on Thursday, it’s going to be a rallying point for the Whitefish community.”
Last week Rehberg launched a website, www.veteransjesus.com, to help with public response to the pending Forest Service decision.
Members of the Knights of Columbus at Kalispell’s St. Matthew’s parish, some of whom were World War II veterans, installed the statue. The religious statues they came across in the mountains in Europe during the war inspired them and they wanted to create something similar at home.
The permit for the statue expired last year. The Knights of Columbus applied for renewal, but were denied after concerns that the statue violates the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution for promoting any religious doctrine.
A private-public land swap may be the ticket to keeping the statue of Jesus Christ on Big Mountain. It’s a least a good back-up plan, Rehberg says.
Rehberg is seeking public comment on draft legislation to exchange approximately 625 square feet of land between Whitefish Mountain Resort and the federal government. Under the bill, the Secretary of Agriculture would convey the land currently used for the World War II statue of Jesus. In exchange, the resort would provide the same amount of land to the Federal Government.
“Fortunately, the public outcry in Montana and around the country bought us some time,” Rehberg said in a press release. “I certainly hope the Forest Service will respect the wishes of just about everyone in the local community, but if they decide to fold to out-of-state lawyers, it’s important to have an ace in the hole. That’s what this bill is about — it’s a common sense solution that we can use if other avenues don’t work.”
Rehberg has worked closely with Whitefish Mountain Resort CEO Dan Graves in crafting the bill.
“We are honored to be able to help preserve this wonderful piece of history on Big Mountain at Whitefish Mountain Resort in honor of our veterans,” said Graves.
The statue rests within lands that have been in lease from the Forest Service since 1953.
An August decision by the U.S. Forest Service put the statue in jeopardy for remaining in its current location. Then last month the Forest Service withdrew that decision to take public comment on the issue.
Rehberg will attend a public rally at 1 p.m. on Nov. 10 at VFW Post 276 on Baker Ave. in Whitefish in support of the statue. The Forest Service is currently taking public comment on a proposal to re-issue the Knights of Columbus special use permit. The comment period runs through Dec. 8. Comments can be emailed to comments-northern-flathead-tally-lake@fs.fed.us. Include the title Knights of Columbus Special Use Permit Reauthorization Project in the subject line.
Emailed comments will be confirmed by return email. Only the first email from each sender will receive an email confirmation.
Mailed and faxed comments can be addressed to Project Leader Derek Milner, Tally Lake Ranger District, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901 or faxed to 406-758-5367. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered comments are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.