Entry No. 30 — the Cincinnati file — filed under: giant sculpture
Lux Mundi Statue ('Hug Me Jesus')
Standing 52 feet tall beside Interstate 75 at Solid Rock Church, this massive steel-and-polymer sculpture by Tom Tsuchiya depicts Jesus with outstretched arms, replacing the famous 'Touchdown Jesus' statue that burned down after a lightning strike in 2010.
The story
In 2004, the evangelical Solid Rock Church erected a 62-foot torso of Jesus along Interstate 75. Made from flammable plastic foam and fiberglass molded over a steel frame, its arms reached straight up into the sky—earning it the local nickname 'Touchdown Jesus.' That roadside spectacle came to an abrupt end on the night of June 14, 2010, when a thunderstorm rolled through Monroe. A direct lightning strike set the styrofoam ablaze, melting six stories of fiberglass into a roaring inferno in minutes and leaving behind only a charred steel frame.
Rather than leaving the lawn empty, the church commissioned Cincinnati sculptor Tom Tsuchiya to design a lightning-proof replacement. Dedicated in September 2012, 'Lux Mundi' (Latin for 'Light of the World') stands 52 feet tall. It trades the raised arms for a full-body depiction stepping forward with outstretched, welcoming hands facing northbound traffic. To ensure history didn't repeat itself, fabricator Display Dynamics built the sculpture using fire-resistant polymer composite and steel, complete with an internal lightning suppression system integrated into the frame.
While the church designed the figure as a welcoming beacon stepping over a cascading stone water fountain, commuters on I-75 immediately dubbed it 'Hug Me Jesus' (and occasionally 'Five-Dollar Footlong Jesus'). Perched at 903 Union Road, it remains one of southwestern Ohio's most unmissable roadside oddities—a monument engineered specifically to withstand divine weather while grabbing your attention at 70 miles per hour.
What it's like
You can spot the statue easily from the northbound lanes of I-75, but taking Exit 29 onto Union Road lets you pull directly into the Solid Rock Church parking lot for a close look. Visiting at sunset or after dark is best, when high-powered ground lights illuminate the 52-foot figure and reflect its image across the cascading water basin on the front lawn. Because this sits on active church property, keep your visit brief, stay on the outdoor lawn areas, and be respectful if stepping out of your car for photographs.
The move: Catch a sunset drive up I-75 and pull onto Union Road to see the giant illuminated figure reflected across the front lawn's cascading water basin.
- 📍 Monroe
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 903 Union Rd, Monroe, OH 45036
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum — Trade a single monumental highway sculpture for 300 acres of outdoor art installations and ancient stone statues just down the road in Hamilton.
- National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting — Pair roadside religious iconography with a visit to the historic shortwave radio station that beamed American broadcasts across the globe.
- The Alternative Path - Coexist — Contrast an evangelical megachurch landmark with Hamilton's massive metaphysical shop packed with altar tools, crystals, and deity statues.
- Château Laroche (Loveland Castle) — Follow up a modern polymer highway monument with a full-scale medieval stone castle built by hand along the Little Miami River.
Good to know
What happened to the original statue on this spot?
The original 62-foot statue, known as 'King of Kings' or 'Touchdown Jesus,' was struck by lightning on June 14, 2010, and completely burned down because it was made of foam and fiberglass.
Who designed the current Lux Mundi statue?
Cincinnati-based sculptor Tom Tsuchiya designed the 52-foot polymer and steel replacement, which was assembled and dedicated in September 2012.
Is the Lux Mundi statue lightning-proof?
It was built using fire-resistant polymer materials and features an integrated lightning suppression system inside the structure to prevent future fires.
Do you need a ticket or church admission to see it?
No. The statue stands outdoors on the church grounds directly facing the highway and can be viewed for free from the parking lot or Union Road.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Wikipedia · citybeat.com · cbsnews.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-21