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Catholic News Herald

Serving Christ and Connecting Catholics in Western North Carolina
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MONROE — In just two years’ time, the interior of Our Lady of Lourdes Church has witnessed a transformation of Biblical proportions.

Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor, working with local artist Lisa Autry, has brought pivotal moments from Scripture to the formerly blank walls of the church in new murals thanks in part to money raised during the Diocese of Charlotte’s “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign. An image of the Lamb of God is prominently centered over the tabernacle, and scenes from the Baptism of the Lord and the Transfiguration flank the altar.

The scenes are part of Father Roberts’ larger goal to promote an experience of heaven as people gather for worship.

“The Book of Revelation and the Letter to the Hebrews offer us images of heavenly worship,” he explains. “When we gather as a community for the celebration of the Eucharist, we participate in that worship. The beautiful artwork in this church (the windows, the Angels, the Lamb and the murals) draw us into a deeper encounter with the Lord.”

His inspiration for the project came after staring at the stark white walls for four years. He purchased new vestments with a donation from the Women’s Guild in 2016, featuring an image of the Lamb of God and a gold and burgundy pattern. Father Roberts thought the design might make a beautiful pattern for the apse wall, and parishioners agreed. He contacted Autry, who has done many projects in the diocese, including murals at Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City and St. Ann Church in Charlotte. Although she remains in high demand, Autry happened to be between projects when Father Roberts called her.

Autry created each mural in stages over the course of months, with the most recent floor-to-ceiling murals of the Baptism of the Lord and the Transfiguration completed in September.

They’re not done yet. Autry is working on additional artwork for the back wall of the church, featuring the symbols for the four evangelists, that Father Roberts hopes will be ready for Easter.

— Story and photos by SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter

Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe had blank white walls before artist Lisa Autry began a series of murals which now grace the front of the church. (Photo provided by Father Benjamin Roberts)
Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe had blank white walls before artist Lisa Autry began a series of murals which now grace the front of the church. (Photo provided by Father Benjamin Roberts)
“See the ministry of John and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Remember the voice of the Father, ‘You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”
“See the ministry of John and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Remember the voice of the Father, ‘You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”
“When I would start to bring people in to see the murals, they would simply start to cry,” Father Roberts recounts. “They would see Jesus holding the arm of John the Baptist. That’s the point where I started to cry – the day they  put that mural in.”
“When I would start to bring people in to see the murals, they would simply start to cry,” Father Roberts recounts. “They would see Jesus holding the arm of John the Baptist. That’s the point where I started to cry – the day they put that mural in.”
“Look to the mural of the Baptism of Jesus and remember that Jesus claimed you in the waters of baptism.
“Look to the mural of the Baptism of Jesus and remember that Jesus claimed you in the waters of baptism.
“Hear again from the Book of Revelation, ‘I looked again and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
“Hear again from the Book of Revelation, ‘I looked again and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.’”
They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.’”
“We see the angels in festal gathering, and you are the assembly of the firstborn. We are surrounded by the saints and protected by the angels.”
“We see the angels in festal gathering, and you are the assembly of the firstborn. We are surrounded by the saints and protected by the angels.”
“The Lamb is at the center of the City of God. The Lamb is the light of the City of God. The Lamb is the temple of the City of God.”
“The Lamb is at the center of the City of God. The Lamb is the light of the City of God. The Lamb is the temple of the City of God.”
“Look to the Transfiguration. See the unveiled glory of the Lord Jesus. See Moses, the giver of the law, and Elijah the prophet in the presence of Him who is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. See Peter, James and John in awestruck wonder.”
“Look to the Transfiguration. See the unveiled glory of the Lord Jesus. See Moses, the giver of the law, and Elijah the prophet in the presence of Him who is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. See Peter, James and John in awestruck wonder.”
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“When you look to the mural of the Transfiguration, remember that Christ who called you in your baptism calls you to join Him in glory.”
“When you look to the mural of the Transfiguration, remember that Christ who called you in your baptism calls you to join Him in glory.”
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“Look to the angels surrounding the crucifix. Hear the words from the Letter to the Hebrews… ‘You have approached Mount Zion, the City of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem and countless angels in festal gathering…’”
“Look to the angels surrounding the crucifix. Hear the words from the Letter to the Hebrews… ‘You have approached Mount Zion, the City of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem and countless angels in festal gathering…’”
“See the waters that seem to overflow from the mural into our baptismal font.”
“See the waters that seem to overflow from the mural into our baptismal font.”
“This building preaches,” says Father Benjamin Roberts. “The beautiful artwork teaches the faith. The beautiful works of art proclaim the Gospel of God. Now what we have is a building that reflects the beauty and the diversity of the people.”
“This building preaches,” says Father Benjamin Roberts. “The beautiful artwork teaches the faith. The beautiful works of art proclaim the Gospel of God. Now what we have is a building that reflects the beauty and the diversity of the people.”
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