About Jesus and Our Faith in Him

The Christ of Peace

How desperately the world needs peace! Jesus Christ is pictured in many ways, and many titles have been given to honor him, including The Man of Peace.

More than half a century ago, a wooden relief carving of Christ was dedicated in our Sanctuary in memory of loved ones. Below the sculpture are the words “Peace be Unto You.”

Thanks to our church vice-president and constant volunteer Ron Jahn, we can all look upon Christ in a new light! The wooden carving, which adorns the exit doors from our sanctuary, was recently cleaned and oiled to bring out the grain. (Previously, Ron devised a way to put two sets of spotlights on the side of the carving which significantly illumines the work.)

Even more enlightening, Ron did some internet research to discover the history of the work. On the side of the left leg of the figure there is this inscription: “Nishan Toor 1951.” Ron found that this work was carved by a well-known Armenian-American artist, who had shortened his name from Nishan Tooroongian. Toor lived in the Altadena and Los Angeles area more than 60 years ago; he died in 1966. Toor also created a relief figure of Christ portrayed as the Shepherd over the exterior doorway of Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church in Altadena in 1940. In 1947, there was an exhibition of Toor’s work at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington inventories five of his works.

The Christ of Peace carving was dedicated in 1951 in memory of Mr. Wesley Neal by his family.

Top  |  Home  |  About Jesus