The mural picturing Jesus with open arms visually expresses a warmwelcome to the people of the Big Flats community as they drive past Big Flats Wesleyan Church. In the summer of 2007 the 16 foot square, three dimensional mural was put into place on the east end of the church building. The 12 feet high figure of Jesus with open arms and a strong and warm smile welcomes people to consider becoming a follower of Jesus. At the top of the mural is a simple quote from Matthew 11:28, “Come to me . . .”
During an early morning prayer meeting in the summer of 2006, Richard Rooman received a vision from the Lord of this painting. One of our trustees had talked for several years about the need for a sign or a mural to make the big blank wall more attractive. Immediately after the prayer meeting, 3 men went out and measured the spot and figured out that a 16 foot square mural would fit nicely. Soon Richard began painting a concept painting of what the mural might look like. Richard Rooman is a retired commercial artist who had done many excellent paintings before, but now there was a problem. At 82 years of age, he was legally blind and had difficulty seeing well enough to paint, but God already had the solution to that problem. Richard enlisted the help of three volunteer artists, Marge Engle, Nicole McKibbin, and Jen Wascher, to paint the figure of Jesus. In February 2007, they went to work in the basement of the house next door, painting the 12 foot tallJesus, which had been cut out by Clair Garrett.
Richard examines the work of
the three artists.
This was completed on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday morning, the imposing painting of Jesus stood at the front of the sanctuary welcoming our Easter crowd of worshipers. What an amazing visual reminder that Jesus is indeed risen from the dead!
The Jesus figure stands in front of the congregation on Easter Sunday 2007
Over the next 3 months, the doors, the steps, and the background were carefully and skillfully painted by Richard Rooman in spite of his visual handicap. The various pieces of the mural were sealed with several coats of clear sealer and the mural was ready to assemble and erect by early August. On the morning of August 4, 2007, a team of 8 men, led by contractor Dennis McKibbin, raised the heavy mural, constructed from 8 sheets of marine plywood, into place.
A crew of workers hung the heavy
mural on the wall on August 4, 2007
Sunday, August, 5, 2007, at the end of the morning worship service, the entirecongregation left the sanctuary and walked outside, to join together in a prayer ofthanksgiving and dedication for this Jesus mural.
Richard Rooman shares the storyof the mural with the congregation on Dedication Sunday, August 5, 2007
What an awesome view this Jesus mural presents to those passing by the church. Our prayer is that this work of art will continue to be a tool in God’s hands to welcome people to consider His Son, Jesus, and even to come to church and meet Him in a personal life-changing way.
Richard Rooman and his wife Doris
If you have not seen the Jesus Mural, drive around the east end of the building and get a good look. It is best viewed from the road or the walking trail parking lot across the road.
Big Flats Wesleyan Church
561 Maple Street
Big Flats, NY 14814
Phone: (607) 562-3444
The Story of the
Jesus Mural at Big Flats Wesleyan Church